Depression- The Silent Killer

Do you Feel Depressed? 

Do you have a question regarding your own or your close one's mental health? Please read this blog to learn all you need to know about depression and its possible cure.

Depression effects on an average one in 15 adults (6.8 percent) in any given year. And one in five people (20 percent) will experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression might occur at any given time, but on average, it first appears during the mid-teens to the late 20s. Some research shows that one-third of women will experience depression in their lifetime. Women are more likely to experience depression than men. Also, there is a high degree of heritability (approximately 45 percent) when first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) have depression.

Major depressive disorder or depression is a common and severe medical illness that negatively affects how you act, the way you think, or how you feel. It causes feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Depression can lead to various types of physical and emotional problems and may reduce your ability to function at home and work. Fortunately, depression is also treatable. I will discuss some depression treatment strategies further in this blog.

So, How Can You Define Depression?

Depression is a mental state in which an individual undergoes a mood disorder involving a persistent loss of pleasure in daily life activities. This constant feeling of feeling down or sadness is not the same as mood fluctuations that people usually experience as a part of their life. Depression can cause by significant life events like bereavement or losing a job. Depression is an ongoing issue and not a passing one. It consists of episodes in which the symptoms persist for a minimum of two weeks. Depression could be last for many weeks, months, or years.

How Do I Know that I Have Depression?

If you persistently feel depressed for a while and want to know if it is depression, this blog will help you recognize your problem and find its cure. So, the symptoms and signs of depression are:

• reduced interest in activities once enjoyed and a depressed mood
• sleeping too little or too much
• a loss of sexual desire
• loss of energy or fatigue
• difficulty making decisions, thinking or concentrating
• slowed speech and movement
• recurrent thoughts of death, or an attempt at suicide
• a feeling of guilt or worthlessness
• restlessness, pacing up and down, and agitation
• unintentional weight gain or loss

In Females

Women are about twice at risk of developing depression as men, as per the CDC (centers for disease control and prevention). 

Following are the symptoms of depression more common among females:

• irritability
• anxiety
• fatigue
• ruminating (dwelling upon negative thoughts)
• mood swings

Some forms of depression that are unique to females are:

• postpartum depression, which occurs after giving birth
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder, i.e., a severe form of premenstrual syndrome

In Males

Depression often leads to men displaying anger, drinking alcohol in excess, and engaging in risk-taking.

Other symptoms of depression common in men are:

• avoiding families and social situations 
• working without a break
• experiencing difficulties keeping up with work and family responsibilities
• displaying abusive or controlling behavior in relationships

What Could be the Possible Causes of my Depression?

There might be many possible causes of depression, and various factors may combine to trigger the symptoms of depression.

Factors that usually play a role in causing depression are:

1. Changes in the brain's neurotransmitter levels: There can be a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that manage sleep, thoughts, mood, behavior, and appetite in people having depression.
2. Genetic features: You are at a raised risk for developing depression if your family has a past of depression or another mood disorder.
3. Social and psychological factors
4. Environmental factors
5. Early childhood trauma
6. Hormonal levels: Changes in female hormones progesterone and estrogen during different periods, such as postpartum, menstrual cycle, menopause, or perimenopause, can increase a person's risk for depression.
7. Substance abuse:
8. A history of substance or alcohol misuse may affect your risk of developing depression.
9. Some additional conditions, like bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or chronic pain

How Do I Treat my Depression?

Depression is treatable, and managing symptoms generally involve three components:

Psychotherapy is also called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy, and problem-solving treatment options. Psychotherapy is usually the first-line treatment for some types of depression, while some people respond better to the combination of psychotherapy and medications. CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy are significant types of psychotherapy for treating depression. A person can have cognitive-behavioral therapy in individual sessions with the therapist, telephone, online, or in groups.

The objective of interpersonal therapy is to help people identify :

• the emotional problems affecting relationships and communication 
• how these problems also affect the individual's mood
• strategies to change all of this 

Support: Support can range from discussing the possible causes and practical solutions to educating family members.

Treatment using medications: The doctor may prescribe antidepressants.

Medication for the Treatment of Depression

Antidepressants may help in treating moderate-to-severe depression.

There are several classes of antidepressants available, such as:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• tricyclic antidepressants
• atypical antidepressants

Each class of antidepressants works on a different neurotransmitter or a combination of neurotransmitters. A patient must only take medications as the doctor prescribes. Some medicines may take some time to be effective on the patient. A patient can not experience the drug's benefits by stopping the medication. Some patients stop taking medicines as their symptoms improve. But, stopping the treatment may lead to a relapse.

Brain Stimulation Therapies

Another option used for treating major depression is brain stimulation therapy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can help treat depression by sending magnetic pulses to the brain. If depression does not improve from the drug treatment, the patient can benefit from electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. It can be even more effective if depression comes along with psychosis.