Everyone is liable at some points in time to be alienated from his/her usual self. Some natural occurrences and the society which we live in today are more than enough to get us frustrated and cast down, but what is abnormal is allowing these feelings to overwhelm us and thereby stealing our peace.
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. In psychology, depression is a mood or emotional state that is marked by feelings of low self-worth or guilt and a reduced ability to enjoy life. It can sometimes lead to putting oneself in danger. According to research, about 280 million people in the world have depression and from this statistic we can fathom the risks and threats of depression in our Economy and the society as a whole.
A person who is depressed usually experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or pessimism; lowered self-esteem and heightened self-depreciation; a decrease or loss of ability to take pleasure in ordinary activities; reduced energy and vitality; slowness of thought or action; loss of appetite; and disturbed sleep or insomnia.
Depression differs from simple grief or mourning, which are appropriate emotional responses to the loss of loved ones or objects. Where there are clear grounds for a person’s unhappiness, depression is considered to be present if the depressed mood is disproportionately long or severe. Examples of different types of depression include Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Postpartum Depression, psychotic Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Causes of Depression include; Brain chemistry/structure, Hormone levels, Family History, Early Childhood Trauma, Socioeconomic Status, Substance Use and Pain.
There are three main treatments for depression. The two most important are psychotherapy and psychotropic medication, specifically antidepressants. Psychotherapy aims to alter the patient’s maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses to stressful life events while also giving emotional support to the patient. Antidepressant medications, by contrast, directly affect the chemistry of the brain and presumably achieve their therapeutic effects by correcting the chemical dysregulation that is causing the depression. The most effective medication is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., fluoxetine [ARTIFY).
Fluoxetine (ARTIFY) serve to prevent the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin. This results in the buildup or accumulation of neurotransmitters in the brain and allows them to remain in contact with the nerve cell receptors longer, thus helping to elevate the patient’s mood. For most persons with depression, however, the best therapeutic results are obtained by using a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.
It’s evident that we can’t avoid the occurrence of some unpleasant events in our lives but we can choose our reactions. Learn to loosen up and focus on what is next. Remember… To be depressed is to lose focus.