Depression

what is depression?

Symptoms

Depression can be more than just constant sadness or feeling ‘blue’. Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your moods and others affect you physically in your body.

• Moods such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness and restlessness.

• Emotional symptoms such as feeling empty, sad and hopeless

• Behavior such as loss of interest, no longer enjoying one's favourite activities and hobbies, feeling tired, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, substance abuse or engaging in high risk activities.

• Irregular sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleeping

• Physical pain such as fatigue, headache, digestive problems and other pains.

*women , men and children experience different symptoms*

Causes

No one understands what causes it , but it can occur for a number of reasons.

• Some people experience depression after having some sort of life changes such as moving or a death of a loved one.

• A family history of mental illness or a history of depression could result in having a higher risk of developing depression or other mood disorders.

• Abuse - physical, mental or emotional, can increase vulnerability to clinical depression in the future.

• Conflict- someone who is vulnerable to mental health disorders as a result of a personal conflict or disputes between friends or family can also develop depression.

Treatment

• Mild depression:

Exercise

Self-help groups - talking through your feelings can be helpful. You could talk to a friend or a relative you feel comfortable with.

• Moderate to severe depression:

Antidepressants are tablets that treat the symptoms of depression. There are almost 30 different types. A doctor will prescribe these.