Depression, often known as depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mental illness or mood disorder that causes a persistent sense of melancholy and a loss of interest or pleasure.
It may be seen as a “weakness” by some, but it differs greatly from the typical emotional fluctuations we experience. It is a severe mental condition that affects all aspects of our lives, including how we think, feel, and perceive our surroundings.
Depression can be mild, moderate or severe, and it affects approximately 5% of adults globally. Studies also reveal that women and young adults are more likely to suffer from depression. If not addressed or prevented, it can result in suicide, making it a very serious condition if not properly addressed.
Causes
Anyone of any race, gender, or age can be impacted by depression, just like any other illness, whether it be mental or physical. People who could be easily affected by factors leading to depression include:
- People who often experience variations in specific brain chemistry that can become depression precursors. Common neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin are just a couple of examples.
- People who are easily overwhelmed by stress, have low self-esteem or are pessimistic by nature.
- People who suffer abuse, are exposed to violence, or even those dealing with physical and mental challenges on a daily basis.
- Relatives of depressed family members. Depression may run in the family. Despite the lack of a depression gene in the human body, certain people are more susceptible to developing depression due to genetics.
Other causes of depression are:
- Age. Depression may result from aging and fatigue, living alone, or not having enough emotional or material support.
- Medication. Depression risk can be raised by some drugs, such as corticosteroids and hormonal medicines.
- Abuse of substances. Major or clinical depression is a common condition among drug and alcohol addicts.
- Demise or separation of a loved one.
- Losing a job or experiencing deep financial trouble.
- Life events. Depression can strike someone in the event of significant life changes, such as moving to a new location, being divorced, or becoming sick.
- Trauma
- Absence of a network of support or rejection from friends, family, and the community, particularly for people who identify as LGBT+
Are you already depressed or simply sad?
Sadness is the emotional manifestation of grief and is a perfectly natural human emotion. The physical manifestations of grief include crying, losing one’s appetite, feeling heavy, and experiencing physical and emotional pain.
Although sadness is a common reaction to life’s difficulties, it usually fades. You can gradually and steadily overcome sadness with a few small lifestyle changes. You can treat yourself to any meal you choose, enjoy lighthearted movies or novels, go on adventures in the great outdoors with friends, and more.
On the other hand, you may be on the verge of depression if you haven’t felt better after two weeks or longer and you find it difficult to go about your daily life. If your sadness seems to be getting worse every day, give your doctor a call. Along with helping you understand your symptoms, medical professionals can provide an accurate diagnosis for you. It is important that you don’t let extreme sadness linger without reaching out. It may actually save your life.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/depression/causes-depression
https://www.cdc.gov/howrightnow/emotion/sadness/
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/depression-vs-sadness