Worldwide, depression is an astonishingly common disorder, and although it has been taboo to discuss in the past, a new leaf is beginning to turn over. Mental illness is starting to be addressed and given the attention it rightfully deserves. Depression is classified as a mood disorder, and it can affect daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, and social interactions. There are a variety of depressions, including seasonal, postpartum, and persistent. Regardless of the type, the feeling of debilitating hopelessness is apparent while suffering from depression.
Look out for complete details of Anxiety in Mental Health Part 1
As stated previously, there are numerous kinds of depression. In general, to diagnose clinical depression, symptoms must be evident for two weeks. However, in regards to persistent depression, the diagnostic timeframe lengthens to two years. Symptoms include a feeling of sadness and hopelessness, irritability, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively, decreased or increased appetite, and sometimes thoughts of death. Not every symptom will be present when diagnosing depression, although the symptoms will be severe enough to affect daily life. Many times, people suffering from depression will withdraw from society, which can be one of the first noticeable symptoms.
Risk factors for depression can involve psychological, genetic, and environmental components. While depression is usually diagnosed in adulthood, there has been an increasing incidence of diagnosis in children. Regardless of the severity, depression is treatable through a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Most likely, medicine will be the primary treatment for depression. It should be noted that antidepressants can take up to 2-4 weeks to take effect. Do not come off antidepressants without first discussing it with your prescribing physician. Many medications need to be weaned rather than stopped suddenly.
While medication is considered the primary treatment modality for depression, therapy should also be recommended because it can assist in discovering and addressing the root cause. Hormonal imbalance is a valid cause of depression, but typically, there is an emotional trigger to initiate the imbalance. Discussing those triggers and feelings of depression with a licensed therapist is imperative to achieve a positive mental state.
Depression can conjure feelings of hopelessness, but it is not a hopeless situation, and it should not be viewed as such. Through the proper medication and therapy regimen, you can begin to feel like yourself with hopes of resuming your usual daily activities and fostering the meaningful relationships in your life. Shifa4U is here to help you achieve positive mental health, so reach out to discuss best mental treatment options in Pakistan available to you. Come back tomorrow for the next piece of this series to discover how the mental state affects the physical state.