Overview of Depression/Depressive disorders
Unhappiness, Sadness, feeling down, and having a loss of interest in daily activities are some common feelings for all of us. But if they persist and affect our daily life, this problem may be “Depression”.
- Having a variety of emotional and physical problems.
- Feelings of sadness & hopelessness.
- You go through a life challenge.
- You start feeling loneliness.
- You always want to cry.
- No one understands you & sees you.
- Feelings of guilt.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Feelings of heartbroken.
- Changes in eating patterns.
- You get frequent suicidal thoughts.
About Depression
Depression is a long-term low mood disorder. Depression also known as depressive disorder or clinical depression, is termed as a mood disorder that causes a persistent symptom of depressed mood/sadness for at least 2 weeks, affecting a person’s daily activities, normally he/she enjoys. Depression affects how you feel, think, and act and can obstruct with your skill to function and keep going with daily life. Depression can affect any person at any age. But, symptoms of presentation, severity and prognosis of illness vary in different age groups. People in 20-40 age groups are most vulnerable and highest among individuals between 18 to 25 years of age. Even, depression doesn’t spare child & adolescent’s age group and elderly people too. Depression is often undiagnosed in elderly people; as their symptoms may be misunderstand as being due to physical illness that generally happens in old age. Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men are. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Due to the fact that depression can be so recurrent, it can have major consequences. Depression can also be a part of bipolar illness but, mostly it occurs in its own course. With the right treatment, most people with depression can get recover and gain back their interest in work, family, and hobbies.
What is “Bipolar illness”?
Bipolar illness is a brain disorder that alters a person’s mood, energy and aptitude to function. People suffering from bipolar illness have severe mood episodes/emotional states of mind that occur at different times. These emotional states of mind are categorized as manic & depressive. People with bipolar illness generally have times of normal mood as well. Bipolar illness can be treated and recovered people can lead a productive life.
Prevalence of Depression: Prevalence of depression ranges from 20% -25% in women and 7% – 12% in men. It is also higher among adult females - 9% as compared to males – 6%. In adolescent age groups, it is about 9-10%.
Do you know the common depression symptoms? Here it is: -
- Feel low energy most of the time despite good physical health & proper diet.
- Remain in low mood.
- Less interest in previously pleasurable activities like study, work, sexual activities, exercises and communication with friends and family etc.
- Remain irritated, frequent anger & aggressive behavior.
- Sleep disturbances & get pessimist
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Helplessness about your health condition & future goals
- Frequent guilt feeling,
- Constant thoughts about death like, I should die or I am a burden on my family.
- Very frequent suicidal ideation