DEPRESSION

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• 2024-02-15
• 15 minutes

About the Article

Depression is a psychological disorder that affects the nervous system and is characterized by low mood and inactivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that it is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide and that there are more than 300 million people of all ages currently suffering from depression. Other reports indicate that three out of ten adults (29%) develop depression at some point in their lives. Depression affects a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and sense of happiness. People with depression often suffer from a loss of motivation or interest, or a decrease in pleasure or joy in the activities they engage in. It usually brings them pleasure or joy. The occurrence of pathological depression is usually linked to many social and health customs and traditions and the incidence of chronic health diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Many studies indicate that women are more susceptible to depression than men, and young people are more susceptible to depression than the elderly. Depression may occur at any time and at any age, but on average it can first appear in the late teens to mid-twenties
Symptoms of depression:
Symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe and can appear differently in each person. These symptoms include the following:
•    Loss of desire to engage in normal daily activities: A depressed person feels an unwillingness to do his usual daily activities, even those he enjoyed in the past.
•    Feeling nervous and depressed: The patient feels a constant state of nervousness and depression, and his mood may fluctuate.
•    Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
•    Sleep disorders: The patient may suffer from insomnia or excessive sleep.
•    Difficulties in thinking or concentrating and forgetting, and it is also difficult for the patient to make simple decisions
•    Unintentional weight gain or loss: The patient may notice a noticeable change in appetite as well as in his weight that is not related to diet.
•    Nervousness, anxiety and boredom: Depression can be accompanied by a feeling of constant nervousness and anxiety and there can be increased motor activity (for example: inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing) or slowed movements or speech that is severe enough to be noticed by others.
•    Excessive sensitivity and a feeling of fatigue or weakness: The patient feels very tired and may be unable to carry out daily activities.
•    Loss of hope: The patient feels hopeless and frustrated, and may see that life has no meaning for him.
It should also be noted that it is normal for a person to experience a feeling of sadness or “extreme sadness” as part of daily human life. However, a diagnosis of depression requires that the symptoms mentioned occur most of the day, almost every day, for more than two weeks, along with a marked change in daily functioning at school or work and relationships. Fortunately, depression is highly treatable.
Risk factors for depression
Depression can affect anyone, but there are several factors that can play a role in developing depression, such as:
-    Neurotransmitters: A change in some neurotransmitters in the brain (such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) may lead to symptoms of depression.
-    Inheritance: Depression can run in the family. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of developing the disease at some point in his life.
-    Personality: People who suffer from low self-esteem, people who quickly become overwhelmed by stress, or people who are generally pessimistic may be more susceptible to depression.
-    Environment: Persistent exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or physical disability can also pose risks for depression.
Depression treatment:
Depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders and between 70% and 90% of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment.
Depression can be treated with medications and medical drugs (antidepressants) or psychotherapy, in many cases, through therapeutic sessions, or by combining the two, as determined by the doctor or treating specialist. It has been found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is one of the most common and effective forms of psychotherapy. In treating depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and correcting unhealthy thinking patterns with the aim of changing thoughts and behaviors and training to respond to challenges in a more positive way. Psychotherapy may involve one or more people. For example: family or couples sessions can help address problems within these close relationships. Group therapy brings together, in a therapeutic setting, a group of similarly depressed people, providing an opportunity for learning and mutual support.
There are a number of things people can do to help reduce symptoms of depression, such as regular exercise, which helps create a positive feeling and improve mood, getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol can also help. In reducing symptoms of depression.
Finally, depression is a real illness, and help is available, and with proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression will overcome it. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, the first step is to visit your family doctor or psychiatrist