Facts to Know About Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people. This is why it is important to know as much as you can about it. There’s a chance you may experience it in your lifetime or know someone that does. Here’s a look at Eight facts about depression, some of which may surprise you. Here are the facts to know about depression which everyone should know, because you never know it could come to you, or someone close to you.
There Are Different Types
As you may know, depression is a mental health disorder, but there are also many different types of depression. For example, there is seasonal depression, postpartum depression, and major depression, to name a few.
Different circumstances can cause you to have depression, and the intensity of your symptoms, including how long you experience them, will dictate what type of depression a person has. If started early, depression counselling can help with the recovery stage and not prolong your suffering of that of your family.
You will need to work with a therapist to be diagnosed with depression to know for sure if you have it and what type you are experiencing.
It Affects People of Different Ages
Considering there are many different causes when it comes to depression, it has the capability to affect people of all ages.
Children can experience depression and elderly people can as well. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman either, since you might be affected by depression either way.
It is thought that more women have depression symptoms, but this isn’t known for sure, since men may not be seeking treatment when they express the symptoms of depression.
There Are Multiple Causes
When it comes to things that cause depression, there are a few things that might be the case. One is your genetics. If someone in your family has depression, there is a greater chance that you will inherit this condition.
Additionally, you may have depression because of the way that your brain works or due to differences present in your brain.
Some individuals that experience depression have variances in the way their brains look that science is trying to learn more about.
You Can Experience Multiple Symptoms
There are many symptoms associated with depression that you may experience when you think you have this condition.
If you are facing a number of symptoms for an extended amount of time, you might have depression and need to meet with a doctor. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Sadness or feeling down
- Uninterested in things you previously liked
- Inability to pay attention
- Not taking care of your hygiene
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Eating too much or not enough
- Mood changes
Depression Can Cause Physical Pain
Another symptom of depression that you may not know about is that it can cause you physical pain. Sometimes when a person has depression, they may get backaches, headaches, or body aches, which have no other explanation.
If you are experiencing unexplained pains in your body, you should consider getting checked out. Even if you go to your doctor, they should be able to reassure you whether your pains have a physical cause or not.
If they don’t, a physician might be able to provide a referral for a therapist that you can work with.
People All Over the World Experience It
Depression is present all over the world, with the World Health Organization estimating that around 5% of all people worldwide are affected by it.
Since depression can be found all over the world, this is quite a serious illness. If you are experiencing it yourself, there is no reason to be ashamed.
It isn’t a condition where you can simply stop feeling sad, which may be what you have heard from people that care about you. It is a condition that you do need to seek treatment for.
It Can and Should Be Treated
If you or a loved one experiences symptoms related to depression, they are unlikely to go away on their own. When you have been affected by them for a number of weeks, you should seek treatment for depression.
A therapist will be able to work with you to first diagnose your depression, and then put a treatment plan in place.
There are a number of ways that depression can be treated, including with psychotherapy and medications.
The good news is, with the right treatment, you may see a decrease in some of your symptoms. It is possible for some to see a reduction in all of their symptoms. This is what is known as a success story.
To learn all about success stories and how they relate to therapy, read BetterHelp.
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. While it is normal to feel down occasionally, depression is much more than just feeling sad. Looking for the right type of depression treatment in Los Angeles means finding the right treatment for your specific needs. This can include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support from loved ones.
Some Experience Depression for Most of Their Lives
As stated above, depression is highly treatable, but this doesn’t mean that it will go away.
Some people have depression with extreme symptoms, which may lessen over time but don’t disappear. In other cases, a person with depression may not be able to live by themselves and need constant care.
While you should not expect these circumstances if you have depression, you should be aware that it is possible. You must also know that depression is sometimes just one of the mental health conditions a person may face.
For instance, it is possible to experience both depression and anxiety, or depression and mania at the same time, which is called bipolar disorder. This is why you should always meet with a psychologist when you suspect you may have depression. They will be able to let you know for sure and begin the treatment process.
Conclusion
Now that you know many facts about depression, you may understand how serious this condition can be, all across the world.
Anytime you are expressing symptoms, you should talk to a professional to get the help you need. If a loved one is experiencing signs of depression, talk to them about visiting with a therapist.
Keep in mind that this disorder is treatable, and many people see a reduction in their symptoms over time.
This can mean that even when you are still experiencing depression, it may have less of an impact on your routine and your life.
Marie Miguel Biography – Guest Writer
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.