Depression meaning, important symptoms and causes

What is depression?

Depressive disorder, often called depression, is a complex condition. It’s more complicated than being sad or just going through a hard time. Depression is a real mental health condition that is affected by a combination of factors and needs to be taken seriously. When the right set of ingredients come together for someone, symptoms of depression begin and can be devastating if left untreated.

Postpartum depression is a common and potentially serious condition that which is usually diagnosed during or after pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), “depression is a common complication of pregnancy with potentially devastating consequences if left unrecognized and untreated.

During a depressive episode, people experience sadness, numbness, or a lack of energy that can last for days, weeks, or months. People may have changes in their sleeping, eating or hygiene routines and may stop meeting friends or going to work. They can
also find that they are no longer interested in things they once found enjoyable, such as hobbies. People with postpartum depression may also have distressing thoughts and feelings about their baby, such as feeling distant, doubting their ability to care for them, and thinking they are harming themselves or their baby.

Sometimes, individuals experiencing a depressive episode may feel hopeless or that life is no longer worth living, which can lead to suicidal thoughts. For people with this condition, it is important to pay attention suicidal thoughts.

You probably know someone who has depression, because the condition is common. More than 7% of the population in the US in the past year experienced at least one major depressive episode  . Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression allows you to support those in your life who may be living with the condition. You may be dealing with depression yourself, or you may know someone who is. Either way, help is available.

What causes depression?

There are a number of circumstances that cause depression. These include heredity, biological and environmental factors, major life events such as the loss of a loved one, layoffs, and physical illness. Depression is caused by certain drugs, alcohol, drug abuse, diet, Stress, childbirth, hormonal disorders. The biological causes of depression are caused by disruption of neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical transmitters.

Hormones are the cause of depression in young adults. Hormonal changes due to menopause, thyroid problems and other health problems set depression in motion.

The main symptoms of depression

The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. But the main symptoms of depression are the same for everyone.

• Their interest in daily activities loss,
• Insomnia or oversleeping.
• Depressed people get out of bed early and have frequent outbursts.
• Loss of appetite or overeating is also common in depressed people. According to Dr. Chris Iliades, if a person doesn’t have an appetite for anything for 2 weeks, they have depression.
• Depressed people are restless and very irritable.
•  They lack sexual desire
• Prolonged feelings of sadness and emptiness are also major symptoms of depression
• Slow talking, slow body movements, slow thinking, and inability to concentrate are also symptoms of depression.
•  Depressed people find it very difficult to make even the simplest decisions.
•  Back pain, headaches are also observed.
• Depressed people cannot maintain normal relationships with people around them.
• Overwhelming feeling of disappointment and hopelessness that is not easy to get rid of.
• Another sign of depression is an  A depressed person may feel hopeless, have feelings of guilt, low energy, sleep disturbances, and negative thoughts.