Depression

Depression

 Depression is a common and serious mental illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

 

Ads are many common symptoms of depression, which can vary from person to person. Here are some of them:

• There  are many common symptoms of depression, which can vary from person to person. Here are some of the:

Ads are many common symptoms of depression, which can vary from person to person. Here are some of them:

 

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Loss of energy or increased fatigue

Increased restlessness or slowed movement

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions

Thoughts of death or suicide

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. Depression is a treatable illness, and there are many effective treatments available. 

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Sad person sitting alone in the dark

• There are many things you can do to help cope with depression, such as:

 

Exercise regularly. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.

Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help improve your mood and energy levels.

Get enough sleep. When you're well-rested, you're better able to cope with stress and depression.

Connect with others. Spending time with loved ones can provide support and help you feel better.

Seek professional help. A therapist can help you develop coping mechanisms and treatment plans for your depression.

If you are considering suicide, please reach out for help immediately. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

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• There are also many online resources available to help you cope with depression, such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Causes - Depression in adults

There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers.

For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.

• Different causes can often combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after being ill and then experience a traumatic event, such as a bereavement, which brings on depression.

• People often talk about a "downward spiral" of events that leads to depression. For example, if your relationship with your partner breaks down, you're likely to feel low, you may stop seeing friends and family and you may start drinking more. All of this can make you feel worse and trigger depression.

Some studies have also suggested that you're more likely to get depression as you get older, and that it's more common in people who live in difficult social and economic circumstances.

It's thought that your chance of getting severe depression may be partly affected by the genes you inherit from your parents.

 

• Stressful events

Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. When these stressful events occur, your risk of becoming depressed is increased if you stop seeing your friends and family and try to deal with your problems on your own.

• Personality

You may be more vulnerable to depression if you have certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical. This may be because of the genes you've inherited from your parents, your early life experiences, or both.

If someone in your family has had depression in the past, such as a parent, sister or brother, it's more likely that you'll also develop it.

• Family history 

It's thought that severe depression in particular may be partly caused by the genes you inherit from your parents.

But depression is usually caused by a combination of triggers such as life events, so having a family history of depression does not always mean that you'll develop it.

• Pregnancy and giving birth

Some women are particularly vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can lead to postnatal depression.

Sometimes depression starts before you give birth. Depression in pregnancy is known as antenatal depression.

• Menopause

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. Sometimes menopause can trigger depression, particularly in the first few years.

Menopause can also cause symptoms such as sadness and mood swings. Mental health symptoms caused by menopause are different from depression.

1. Loneliness

Feeling lonely, caused by things such as becoming cut off from your family and friends, can increase your risk of depression.

• Alcohol and drugs

When life is getting them down, some people try to cope by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. This can result in a spiral of depression. 

 

Cannabis can help you relax, but there's evidence that it can also bring on depression, particularly in teenagers.

• Illness

"Drowning  your sorrows" with a drink is also not recommended. Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain, which increases the risk of depression.

You may have a higher risk of depression if you have a longstanding or life-threatening illness, such as coronary heart disease, cancer or a condition that causes long-term pain.

Depression is a common and serious mental illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.