Depression could be considered as a disorder associated with sadness, anger, or loss that interferes with the normal functioning of a person’s everyday activities. Depression is associated with lower productivity and can even affect relationships.
Depression is associated with feeling sad, feeling hopeless, change in appetite, change in sleeping patterns, difficulty in concentrating, physical pain without any known causes, suicidal thoughts and many others.
Depression could be caused due to different reasons. It could be mainly due to brain chemistry, hormone levels, family history, childhood trauma, brain structure, medical conditions, substance use and even pain. Females have twice the risk of depression in comparison with males.
Depression could be handled to a great extent with the help of medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, and Acyclic Antidepressants. Psychotherapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, light therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and alternative therapies.
If left untreated it could lead to substance use, panic attacks, can affect relationships, social isolation, suicidal thoughts and even self-harm.
