Is depression the reason for your sadness?

Depression is a common but serious mental health condition that is often confused with sadness or laziness. Let's dig in to learn more.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and a loss of interest. It is also called a major depressive disorder or a clinical depression. It affects the way you feel, the way you think, and the way you act.

Sadness and Grief

Well, some people might think it is just a situational sadness or grief like the death of a loved one, a breakup, losing a job, or relationship issues. It is normal to be sad in such situations. Grieving and depression share the same features, like intense sadness and withdrawal from activities. Grief and depression can co-exist for some people, but they are also different in many important ways.

In grief, people feel sad because they miss their loved ones, and painful feelings come in waves. In major depression, one can feel sadness, a low mood, and a loss of interest for more than two weeks without any reason.

In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained, but in depression, there is a feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, and self-blaming.

Causes:

There's no specific cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and has many different triggers.

Stressful events - Some stressful events, like grief or a fight with loved ones, can lead to depression.

Personality - People with low self-esteem who get overwhelmed by stress and challenging situations are more likely to experience depression.

Genetics - Depression can be hereditary. If it runs in your family, you are more likely to have it. For example, if both parents were depressed, there's a good chance that their child will be depressed at some point in their life. 

Loneliness - People who live far away from family and have been cut off from friends can also suffer from depression.

Illness - The long-standing illness can also lead to depression. People who suffer from chronic diseases, head injuries, paralysis, or major surgery are frustrated and depressed. 

Symptoms:

  • Feeling sad/low mood
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed before
  • Changes in appetite - Weight loss or gain
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Difficulty in concentration, making decisions, and thinking
  • Suicidal thoughts

For a diagnosis of depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks and represent a change in your previous level of functioning.

How depression is treated?

Depression can be treated by medications, psychotherapy, self-help, and coping. So visit your counselor or psychiatrist and take the advised treatment. You can also try coping techniques like healthy eating, enough sleep, and regular exercise to help cope with it.

(Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.)

Tags : #myhealth #depression #sadfeeling #mentalhealth #grief #sadthought #smitakumar #medicircle

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

Scientists in Moscow Develop Fetal Phantom for Obstetric UltrasoundNovember 19, 2024
International Men’s Day: A Celebration of Strength, Vulnerability, and ChangeNovember 19, 2024
The Bloody Truth: Why Menstruation Is Still a Taboo in Indian SchoolsNovember 19, 2024
Toxic Air, Fragile Hearts: The Hidden Cost of Pollution on Heart Failure PatientsNovember 19, 2024
Government of Telangana Hosts the AI in Healthcare Summit – Road to BioAsia 2025November 18, 2024
In yet another groundbreaking medical milestone, Sarvodaya Hospital successfully performs India’s youngest cochlear implant on a 5- month old babyNovember 18, 2024
Sightsavers India in collaboration with AbbVie Therapeutics India Private Limited Hosted the 4th State-Level Consultation on ‘Prevention of Visual Impairment Caused by Glaucoma’November 16, 2024
Is Your Saree Hurting You? How Tight Waist Petticoats Could Trigger Skin CancerNovember 16, 2024
10 New-born Lives Lost: The Jhansi Hospital Fire That Shook India’s ConscienceNovember 16, 2024
Streax introduces revolutionary Shampoo Hair Colour in South India at accessible price point.November 15, 2024
The Silent Killer in Your Genes: Can Splicing Errors Unlock New Cancer Cures?November 15, 2024
Stress on a Schedule: What Your Gut Bacteria Know That You Don’tNovember 15, 2024
A Preventable Catastrophe: Why Are Children Still Dying from Measles?November 15, 2024
The University of Tasmania invites applications for Master of Marine and Antarctic ScienceNovember 14, 2024
ICMR’s Bold Bet: Can India’s Scientists Deliver World-First Health Breakthroughs?November 14, 2024
The Dark Reality Behind India’s Ayushman Bharat: Profits Before Patients?November 14, 2024
Not a Fan of Exercise? Here’s How Few Steps You Actually Need for Better HealthNovember 14, 2024
Shiprocket launches AI Powered Shiprocket Copilot to empower a Self-Reliant Digital Future for over 1,00,000+ Indian MSMEsNovember 13, 2024
AIIMS Darbhanga and More: Can PM Modi’s 12,000 Crore Investment Turn Bihar into India’s Next Growth Engine?November 13, 2024
Self-Made Survivor: How a Virologist Battled Breast Cancer with Her Own Lab-Grown VirusesNovember 13, 2024