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Depression – All you need to know about this mood disorder

A mood disorder, depression leaves a person feeling low and lonely, and they also lose interest in daily tasks and even their hobbies. This condition can also lead to one feeling a disconnect with people and things that they could relate to earlier. If the condition starts affecting daily life and relationships, one must seek medical help at the earliest.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the foremost cause of disability across the world. While the reasons for depression could vary, the effects are adverse in every case. Depression can last for weeks to months or even years. Let’s look at some of the basic aspects of this disorder that you should be aware of.

Symptoms of depression

Dull mood and mood swings
Disinterest and displeasure in activities that the individual enjoyed earlier
Loss of sexual desire
Significant drop or increase in appetite, leading to sudden weight loss or gain
Changes in the sleep cycle
Restlessness and agitation
Changes in movement and speech
Constant fatigue and energy loss
Self-doubt or a feeling of guilt
Difficulty making decisions, along with unnecessary dilemma
Thoughts of self-harm, including suicidal thoughts or attempts

Apart from these, some symptoms are more common in women as compared to men, including anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and ruminating. Also, depression is twice as common among women as it is in men.
Some of the symptoms that manifest in men and are not so common among women are avoiding families and social gatherings, constantly working, facing difficulty balancing family and work, and displaying abusive behavior in relationships.

Causes of depression
The following are some of the most common causes of depression:

Abuse
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse might be one of the foremost causes of depression. Abuse during childhood can also result in depression later on in life.
Medications
Certain medicines might cause depression as a temporary side-effect, and this might subside once the course of the medication is over.
Conflict
Clashes with family, friends, or at work can be a major cause of depression.
Death or loss
While grief can be confused with depression, losing a loved one might also lead to the development of this mental disorder. Grief can be differentiated from depression in that grief is short-term, while the latter affects an individual over a longer period.
Genetic predisposition
A family history of depression might put a person at a higher risk of facing it. The genetics of depression is complex and needs to be dealt with carefully.
Major events
Sometimes, even positive incidents like marriage, getting a job, and graduation can lead to depression. Likewise, retirement, losing a job, or a divorce may cause depression.
Serious illness
Depression often stems from another chronic illness as well.

Risk factors of depression
Some of the factors that contribute to depression include genetics, stress, substance use, pre-existing medical conditions, brain chemistry, and poor nutrition. The condition depends on both internal and external factors; one may experience depression because of physical problems or underlying medical conditions, and external issues like financial problems, a life-changing event, or a recent trauma may also cause this condition. Sometimes, hormonal fluctuations that occur after childbirth can also lead to depression among women, and it is called postpartum depression in this case.

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