what is Depression? Types, Treatment, Sign and Symptoms.

Depression

Introduction

Depression is a mental health disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness

and loss of interest in activities. Symptoms can vary, but common signs include

feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or worthless; changes in appetite or sleep habits;

difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and thoughts of suicide. While anyone

can experience depression, it disproportionately affects women. Left untreated,

depression can lead to serious health problems. But with the right care and support,

most people can overcome depression and live healthy lives. So if you're feeling

down for no reason you can't seem to shake, it's important to talk to your doctor

about what might be going on. You may just have depression — and there's no

shame in that.

Definition

Depression is a mental health issue that affects many people around the world, but

it's often misunderstood. This blog post aims to provide some information about

depression and its symptoms, as well as ways to get help if you're experiencing

these symptoms.

Numbers about Depression (statistics)

Did you know that Qatar has the highest depression rate in the world? In a study

conducted by The World Health Organization, it was found that 1 in  5 people living in

Qatar suffer from depression. That's more than 20% of the population! Worldwide

there are over 350 million people suffer from depression, According to the World

Health Organization. This is definitely something we should all be aware of,

especially if we know someone who might be affected. So what are some of the

symptoms of depression, and what can we do to help? 

Keep reading to find out.

Ladies, have you ever felt like you were in a dark place and didn’t know how to get out?

That is what depression feels like. Depression is one of the most common mental

illnesses in the world. It affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race

or income Infect,

      Depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability

worldwide.

Types

 

1- Mild,

moderate and severe depression.

Mild means that you can still function on a high level, like shopping. Mild means that

you can go do things that you want, but derive little pleasure from. Sever is when you

feel like you're drowning, everyone is out to hurt you, this kind can cause significant

impairment. It's important to seek professional help if you are experiencing any of

the symptoms associated with mental illness, no matter how minor they may seem.

With the right diagnosis and treatment, many people living with a mental disorder can

enjoy a good quality of life.

2- Postnatal depression (PND) :

Did you know that one in five women experience depression after giving birth? This is

known as postnatal depression (PND). PND can occur any time within the first year

after childbirth,

but most often occurs during the first four to six weeks. Symptoms

can include feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or helpless; having trouble sleeping or

eating; feeling guilty or inadequate. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms,

it's important to get help. Talk to your doctor, it is a very common condition that can

be treated effectively. Don't suffer in silence – get help today!

3- Bipolar disorder:

Bipolar depression is a mental health disorder that causes extreme changes in mood.

Symptoms can include mania, depressive episodes, and periods of normal mood.

Bipolar depression can be very serious and lead to problems at work or school, as

well as difficulty maintaining relationships. Fortunately, bipolar depression can be

treated with medication and therapy. Education is essential for recognizing the

symptoms of bipolar depression and getting help. If you want to read more  go

 to Bipolor  blog.

4- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :

SAD is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons, most commonly

winter. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of interest in activities, overeating, and

weight gain.

This condition is caused by a lack of sunlight, and can lead to depression-like

symptoms. It's important to know the signs and symptoms of SAD so that you can

get treatment if need.

Treatment options include light therapy, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.

If you think you might have SAD, it's important to get help from a healthcare

professional. Don't let SAD take over your life—get help today!

5- Dysthymia:

Dysthymia depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by long-term (chronic)

for at least 2 years, low level symptoms like for example poor appetite or overeating;

lack of sleep or on other hand too much sleep; fatigue or low energy; lack of self-

esteem, poor concentration and hopelessness. It can be difficult to diagnose

because it doesn't always meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression.

Dysthymia often goes unrecognized and untreated, which can lead to worsened

symptoms and other mental health disorders. If you are experiencing any of the

symptoms of dysthymia, it is important to seek treatment. There are many effective

treatments available,

so you don't have to suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor about

your options and don't hesitate to get help if you need it. You deserve to feel better.

6- Psychotic depression:

Psychotic depression is a serious mental illness that causes abnormal thoughts and

behaviors. It affects both men and women,

but women are twice as likely to

experience it. Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, severe mood swings,

and problems with thinking, concentration, and memory. It's a type of major

depression that includes psychosis, or a break with reality. This can manifest as

delusions,

hallucinations,

or severely disorganized thinking.

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing psychotic depression,

it's important to get help right away. Treatment includes medication and therapy.

With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with psychotic depression can lead

full, productive lives.

7- Atypical depression:

Atypical depression is a variant of major depressive disorder. It is marked by a

chronic and persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness,

accompanied by low energy, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, disturbed sleep or

appetite, reduced libido and increased sensitivity to rejection. Although atypical

depression is not as common as other forms of depression, it can be just as

debilitating. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is important

to get help from a mental health professional. There is no shame in seeking

treatment for mental illness- in fact,

it takes courage! So please don't hesitate to

reach out for support if you need it. You are not alone.

8-Mixed depression with anxiety disorder:

Mixed depression is considered a "subtype" of major depressive disorder, and is

characterized by the presence of both depressive symptoms and anxious symptoms.

This combination can be confusing and overwhelming for those who are dealing with

it. As it can be difficult to know which symptoms are related to depression, and which

are related to anxiety. It's important to understand the symptoms of mixed

depression in order to get the most effective treatment.

Top 5 most popular questions about depression:

1- Can anyone get depressed?

Yes,

anyone can get depressed. Depression is a serious mental health

condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. Some

people may be more at risk for depression than others, but any person can

experience it.

2- What’s some symptoms of teenager depression? Or can children or teenager
have depression?

Yes,

children and teenagers can certainly have depression. In fact, clinical

depression is one of the most common mental health problems that young

people experience. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about

3% of adolescents in the United States (Approximately 2 million) suffer from

clinical depression.

Depression among young people is often triggered by events or stressors in

their lives,

such as peer pressure, bullying, academic problems, family conflict,

romantic difficulties,

etc. It can also be caused by a chemical imbalance in

the brain or a devastating loss or traumatic event.

There are a number of possible symptoms of teen depression, and it is

important to be aware of them so that you can get help for your child if

necessary. Some common signs of depression in teenagers include:

• Withdrawn or irritable behavior.

• A sudden change in grades or performance at school

• A loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy

• Lack of energy or motivation

• sleep changes (sleeping more or less than usual)

• Appetite changes (eating more or less than usual)

• talking about death or suicide

  Of course,

not every teenager who experiences some of these symptoms will

be depressed – some may just be going through a normal phase.

3- Can I prevent depression?

There are many things you can do to prevent depression. Some of the most

important include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting

enough sleep, and spending time with friends and family.

Depression is often caused by lifestyle factors like stress, poor diet, lack of

exercise,

and too much screen time. By making some simple changes to your

lifestyle, you can help reduce your risk of depression. For example, try to get

regular exercise (at least 30 minutes per day), eat a balanced diet with plenty

of fruits and vegetables, get enough sleep (7-8 hours per night), and spend

time with friends and family.

4- Is depression curable?

Depression is definitely a treatable condition. The key is to find the right

treatment plan for you, which may include medication, therapy, or a

combination of both. With the right treatment, you can start to feel better and

enjoy life again. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you're feeling down –

it's definitely worth it!

5- I will take drugs for life to treat depression?

No,

first of all there are many ways to treat depression like (talk therapy) and

change the negative thoughts to a positive thoughts. According to many

studies (talk therapy) is very effective in many cases of depression. Drugs or

medication can help you to cure, but it doesn’t mean that you need to take

them for life time. Your doctor will help you to determinate when to stop your

medication.

                      Causes:

1- Genetics:

 Depression can run in the families. If one parent having depression

so the trait is high.

2- Abuse: 

Either physically, emotionally and /o
r sexually.

3- Gender: 

Females more than males.

4- Major events or traumas:

 Stress followed by loss or death of loved ones can

increaser the chance of having depression. Also sever medical illness can

contribute causing depression.

5- Brain chemistry:

 Imbalance of brain or hormones can cause depression.

6- Drugs or alcohol: 

Consume alcohol can trigger depression and even make it worse.

Treatment

1- Talk therapy/ Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

One of the most effective treatments for depression is a type of talk therapy called

Cognitive Behavior Therapy, better known as CBT. CBT is an evidence-based

treatment and unlike some other types of talk therapy, its effectiveness for both

depression and anxiety has been documented in over a hundred different clinical

research studies including treatment of both children and adults.

2- Medication:

Medicine like anti-depressant can be used to cure the depression. It work in brain

chemistry and fix it, but it take some times, for some people it can take up to 3 week

to start feel good again. So patience is required. Now we agreed that all medication

have side effects so it’s better to involve your psychiatrist in case you feel any

undesirable effect so medication dose can be edited or perhaps medication can be

changed to suit you better.

3- Eye- Movement Desensitization (EMDR):

EMDR combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that help

you process traumatic memories and change how you react to them.

Your therapist can help you develop stress management skills to help you better

handle stressful situations and cope with stress in your life.

4- Exposure therapy:

This behavioral therapy helps you safely face both situations and memories that

you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them effectively. Exposure

therapy can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares. One approach

uses virtual reality programs that allow you to re-enter the setting in which you

experienced trauma.

5- combination:

All these approaches can help. You and your mental health professional can discuss

what type of therapy or combination of therapies may best meet your needs.

Conclusion

Depression is common and can happen to anyone. It disturb your life in negative way.

It has many reasons like family genes, abuse, and trauma like loss of loved ones.

fortunately it’s curable, so if you or anyone around you experience depression don’t

hesitate and try to help. Remember depression is easy to treat in early level.

Untreated depression can increase the risk of suicide. 

If you want to direct talk with psychiatrist just visit https://alsanabel.qa/en/

  The End