DEPRESSION - LETS TALK

Depression is characterized by a number of common symptoms. These include a persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood and feeling of hopelessness or pessimism that lasts nearly every day for weeks on end. A person who is depressed also often has feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.

It is a serious caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression including genetic changes in hormone levels certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. 

Depression commonly affects your thoughts, your emotions, your behaviors and your overall physical health. Some of the most common symptoms that point to the presence of depression are withdrawing from people, substance abuse, missing work, attempts to harm yourself, tiredness or lack of energy, unexplained aches and pains, weight loss, changes in appetite, weight gain, changes in sleep, trouble concentrating, trouble making decisions, trouble remembering, thoughts of harming yourself and  delusions and hallucinations.

There are several strategies for treating depression. Depending upon each individuals characteristics and symptoms, health care professions may employ one or more types of psychotherapy that rely upon a sequences of interpersonal treatment sessions with a trained professional. Clinicians may suggest that a patient may try one of the number of different medications. Life style changes including improvements in sleeping and eating habits, physical activity and stress reduction have also proven very helpful in managing symptoms. 

- Aishath Shaim Azeez -

Human Rights Club Executive

Picture Source: Continential Hospitals