9 Natural and Effective Ways to Defeat Depression Disorder

Depression, Description about the Disorder, Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Lifestyle Changes, Prevention, Health Effects and Frequently Asked Questions about Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that creates a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of interest in anything and everything around you.

Depression Disorder

The common characteristics of depression disorders are sadness, emptiness, or irritable mood, which involve physical and cognitive changes that greatly affect the person’s ability to work.

Depression Disorder and Treatment

Due to some false/misconceptions, nearly 60% of depressed people do not seek medical help. Many feel that the stigma of mental health disorders is unacceptable in society and can hinder both personal and professional life. There is a lot of evidence that antidepressants work well but the personal response to treatment is completely different from this.

Twelve months of prevalence of major depression disorder with differences marked by age groups is about 7%.  This prevalence is seen to be three times higher in people belonging to the age group of 18 and 29 than in individuals of 60 or above. Women experience a rate of 1.5 to 3 times higher than men in early adolescence.  Depression affects about 17 million adults in developed countries like the United States but these numbers are a harsh devaluation because many do not even consider the disorder to be treated medically.

The following article will lead you to some important facts and information about depression disorder that you must know. 

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What are the Types of Depression Disorder?

‘American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)’ has classified depression into the following categories –

  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder/Dysthymia
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Depressive Disorder due to another medical condition

What are the Causes of Depression Disorder?

The causes of major depression disorder are multifactor and both genetic and environmental factors play an important role here. The first-degree relatives of a depression patient are 3 times more likely to get the disorder than the general population; however, people who do not have a family history of depression can also face or develop this disorder.

Some evidence shows that genetic factors play a lesser role in late-onset depression than early-onset depression. There are some potential biological risk factors that have been identified for depression in elderly people. 

Neurodegenerative diseases (especially Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, cancer, macular degenerative, and chronic pain are associated with high rates of depression. 

Life events and difficulties act as a trigger for the development of depression. Traumatic events such as the death or loss of loved ones, lack or reduced social support, burden of caregivers, financial problems, interpersonal difficulties, and conflicts are examples of stress that can cause depression.

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What are the Symptoms of Depression?

There are many signs of depression, but not everyone notices all these symptoms. How severe the symptoms are, and how long they last varies from person to person. Some of the symptoms you may experience are-

  1. Grief, emptiness or Anxiety it will continue over time without getting better or recovering.
  2. Feeling helpless, worthless or guilty – you may feel bad about yourself or your life, or think a lot about loss or failure.
  3. Hopeless – You may be pessimistic or believe that nothing good will ever happen. You may even think about suicide as a relief from all the sufferings.
  4. Irritable mood – You may be restless or more irritable than usual.
  5. Less interest in activity – the hobbies or games you usually enjoy may not appeal to you anymore. Your desire to eat or have sex may decrease to minimal level or zero.
  6. Less energetic – You may feel extremely tired or think more slowly. Managing day-to-day activities can seem very difficult to you.
  7. Problems with focusing – It can be difficult to concentrate. Simple things like reading newspapers or watching TV can be difficult. You may have trouble remembering details. Decision making may seem overwhelming, whether it’s big or small.
  8. Change in sleeping order – you may wake up too early or have trouble sleeping. The opposite can also happen. You can sleep longer than usual.
  9. Changes in appetite – You may overeat or not feel hungry at all. Depression often leads to abnormal weight gain or loss.
  10. Pain or Aches – You may have headaches, muscle cramps, stomach problems, or digestive problems.

Also Read: 12+ Tips to Improve Your Attention/Focus

How Depression is treated?

There are different treatment options for depression. The main treatments are psychological treatment (such as cognitive behavior therapy) and/or medication. Which type of treatment is most appropriate, where it should be done and how long it will last will depend on a number of factors, including how severe the person’s depression is, their personal circumstances, and how their symptoms develop over time. 

You can talk to a therapist about the benefits and disadvantages of possible treatment, as well as what you expect from the treatment and any related fear you may have.

What can you do to treat Depression naturally?

The answer is ‘Yes’, there are. There are several lifestyle changes that you can apply to reduce depression disorder symptoms and recover yourself. The most tried and effective ones are as mentioned below-

  1. Eat Healthy

There is no magical diet to fix depression. However, It is a good idea to observe what you have eaten. You can feel better by controlling your diet and defeating the tendency to overeat led by depression. While nothing is certain, Ian Cook says there is evidence that foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) can help reduce depression.

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  1. Exercise

It temporarily increases the chemical called endorphins- it is the chemical produced by the body to relieve pain and stress, which makes you feel better. It may have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular exercise has proved to encourage the brain to rearrange itself in a positive way.

Also Read: Do You Know How Exercise can Affect Your Health

  1. Set the goal of life

When you are depressed, you may feel that you can never do anything. It makes you feel bad about yourself. Go beyond it, set your daily goals. It will make you feel worthy. 

  1. Get into a Routine

Depression can take away the chained structure of your life. Every day may look like the day before which is boring and irritating. Setting a mild schedule daily can be helpful in this regard.

  1. Take enough of sleep

Half-hearted sleep or too little sleep can worsen the state of depression. So having a lot of sleep will help you fight depression and keep a tab on your mental state.

Also Read: Do You Know What Insomnia Problem can Lead to?

  1. Take responsibility

When you are depressed, you may want to get away from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Engaging with others and taking daily responsibilities can help you maintain a lifestyle that can help prevent depression. 

Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of work is mental – changing how you think. When you are depressed, you can make the worst possible decision. You may get help with therapy for this.

  1. Supplements

Now this is a risky matter. You can take supplements. But remember to always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or medications for depression, as this can sometimes lead to dangerous consequences.

  1. Do Something New

When you are depressed, you are moving along the same track again and again. Force yourself to do something different. Try to do things that you have not done before or wished to do whenever you get the opportunity. It can make your mind feel fresh.

  1. Avoid alcohol and other drugs/narcotics

Substance abuse is common in people with depression. You may be more likely to be attracted to alcohol, marijuana or other drugs to deal with your symptoms of depression. It is unclear whether drinking and using medication cause depression. But long-term medication can change the way your brain works and worsen or cause mental health problems.

Also Read: 20+ Amazing Health Benefits of Caffeine – Uses, Side Effects

What can you do to prevent Depression?

You can prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating healthy and doing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If you had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have symptoms of depression, get expert’s help. Self-care can help you feel better quickly and recover yourself.

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What can Depression do to you?

Depression makes people feel and behave differently than before. They often feel that it is their own fault, and suffer from self-doubt. Many say they have feelings that they can no longer control or deal with. They may also think about killing themselves (suicidal thoughts). In most cases they don’t actually take that step, but unfortunately not always.

Depressed people often withdraw themselves, avoid social contact and rarely leave their houses. They may start abusing alcohol, drugs or other medications. These things can prolong depression, and make it worse. It is often possible to prevent this vicious cycle with the help of other people, especially close friends or family members.

Also Read: 10 Effective Ways to Fight Anxiety Disorder Problem

Conclusion

The article describes depression disorder problem, its treatment and how it affects.  The information provided is only knowledge/educational purpose and not intended to replace any medical treatment or expert’s advice.  Remember, Depression can be deadly sometimes, thus consider professional help whenever you feel any symptoms of it. For proper diagnosis, please consult a specialist or your doctor. 

Also Read: Depression Disorder Treatment (Assamese)

Sources: NCBI BOOK, NCBI BOOK 2

FAQ

1) Is depression a mood disorder or mental illness?

A. Depression is a disease that is characterized as a mood disorder. Depression is a serious condition that can affect how you think, feel and react to everyday life. Constant negative thoughts and feelings are common for people with depression.

2) What causes depression?

A. Depression is believed to be caused by a complex combination of genetic, biological, mental and environmental factors. The condition usually develops between the ages of 15 and 30 and is much more common in women than in men. Significant changes in life and family history of some physical illnesses are the common risk factors for depression.

3) Is depression treatable?

A. Yes, in most cases, treatment involves a combination of psychotherapy, medications, and self-care techniques. Self-care techniques include setting realistic goals, educating yourself about depression and its treatment, postponing important decisions, curbing expectations of recovery, and allowing others to help you.

4) What are the symptoms of depression in children and adolescents?

A. Children and adolescents who are depressed are often sad or irritable. They may have a series of cries or be withdrawn. Anxiety and school problems are common. It may be difficult to determine whether a child is depressed or going through a difficult development phase, and symptoms of depression may change or develop as the child matures. If you feel that your child or teenager is depressed then your first step should be to consult a psychiatrist.

5) How prevalent is depression?

A. About 3 million Canadians have serious depression issues. It is 30% of all disability recorded in Canada’s three best companies. Depression affects 10 to 15% of men and 15 to 25% of women.

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