Depression – Symptoms and Causes
The Collins School Dictionary defines depression as “a state of mind in which someone feels unhappy and has no energy or enthusiasm”. Does this describe you or the person that you know? Then read this to find out more about the symptoms and causes of depression.
What is depression?
Everybody says they are depressed from time to time but they use this term loosely to explain how they felt after a failed driving test, a loss of a job etc. These are everyday up and downs. Depression can be a lot more serious than that and severe.
What are the symptoms?
These vary from person to person. Depression is when there is a low self-esteem and mood, motivation is inhibited and the everyday tasks can difficult. It affects everyday life. Many people don’t realise that they are depressed when they go to the doctors feeling unwell in other ways, for example, a quick loss of weight or just extremely unmotivated, their get up and go has gone.
Symptoms also include:
- Sobbing
- Simple tasks are very taxing
- Feel guilt
- Feeling unloved
- Lack of or too much sleep
- Poor concentration
- Loss of apetite.
Symptoms are often physical as well where there are palpitations, chest pain and headaches.
Ever heard the saying “making a mountain out of a mole hill” this how many of those depressed feel and how many on the outside providing support feel when the witnessing depression.
Who does it affect?
Anyone can be at risk of having depression especially those who have close relatives with depression, and more so if you are female. It affects one in five of us, whether you suffer from it or whether you know someone suffering from it. It is an illness that can be treated but seeing the GP is the best person to ask.
Most people who have depression fully recover, for those who are more severe may turn to alcohol, illegal substances as a means of escape and even suicide.
What are the causes?
Depression is caused by a mixture of things rather than just one single thing.
Causes can be:
- Family breakdown
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Bullying
- Serious illness
- Death or loss of a loved one.
With these causes the risk of depression is more likely to be caused by not being able to share feelings with anyone, those who have a high demand on them, for example, looking after the children after the loss of loved one, and not having enough help in these situations.
Depression is serious whether you are diagnosed with it or whether you know someone with it or even if you are a carer. There is a lot of help that can be offered and there are support networks readily available offering help. Being a carer is difficult and being supportive is the best thing that you can offer.
Here are a couple of useful links for depression.
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