Depression

 Depression 

Depression is a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, which stops you doing your normal activities. Different types of depression exist, with symptoms ranging from relatively minor to severe. Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a mix of events and factors.

Depression is more common in women than men. The report on Global Burden of Disease estimates the point prevalence of unipolar depressive episodes to be 1.9% for men and 3.2% for women, and the one-year prevalence has been estimated to be 5.8% for men and 9.5% for women. It is estimated that by the year 2020 if current trends for demographic and epidemiological transition continue, the burden of depression will increase to 5.7% of the total burden of disease and it would be the second leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (Daily), second only to ischemic heart disease.

Depression is not feeling down for an hour out of your day. It's not something to be glorified. It's not beautiful. It is one extreme to another, you're either so high with happiness or so down that you doubt the world will have colour again.

Some days are good, great in fact, and you almost feel like you’re better. Then something small, a look from someone or a memory, can turn you into a mess.

People will ask why are you crying? What's wrong? And the only answer you can give is ‘I don't know but it's nothing new’.

Everyone will tell you that it will get better... and you dream of when it will be. Some days I swear I can feel the sun radiating happiness through my body, and then other days I feel nothing and everything all at once. Depression is not easy nor is it a quick fix.

Your friends and family encourage you to talk to them when you’re having an episode. But how can you do that when it’s 3 am in the morning?

It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be weak. You're not bulletproof, you're human. You're capable of getting hurt. Feel the emptiness. Figure it out. Savour each tear. Grieve. Cry your heart out and ruin your mascara. Stop pretending. Unmask yourself. Breakdown if you are tired. Break.

And after, go on with your life. Leave the pain to those tears you have shed. Let the memories remain but not the mourning. Smile. Smile the real smile, without pretension and heartaches. Be okay. Be fixable. Be happy. Live. Begin again.

With treatment and support, most individuals with depression can fully recover. Eating a healthful diet and partaking in physical activity can make a significant difference to your recovery time, as well as improving your general health.

depression is a low mood that lasts for long time ,affecting everyday life . it is often triggered by a mix of genetic , physiological and environmental factors; studies show that the risk of becoming depressed can be increased by life events such as poverty , death of loved ones , physical illness or abuse . for some the risk is also hereditary . 

symptoms are persistent sadness , loss of interest in activities ,loss of appetite , felling of worthlessness ,becoming easily agitated , among others 

treatment and help talk therapy with a trained counsellor or psychotherapist , exercise and support groups are among the options available . antidepressants are also somtimes prescribed , but they should not be used for treating children ,and should not be the first line of treatment for adolescents . all treatment should involve identifying stress factor and sources of support , and individuals should maintain social networks and activities . 

in younger children , symptoms of depression may include sadness , irritability , clinginess ,worry aches and pains , refusing to go to school ,or being underweight . in teens symptoms may include sadness , irritability , feeling negative and worthless anger , poor performance or poor attendance at school , feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive , using recreational drugs and alcohol , eating or sleeping too much ,self harm ,loss of interest in normal activities , and avoidance in social interaction . 

depression symptoms in older age memory difficulties or personality changes physical aches and pains , fatigue , loss of appetite , sleep problems or loss of interest in sex , often wanting to stay home ,rather than going out to socialize or doing new things , suicidal thinking or felling ,especially in older men 

when to see a doctor - if you feel depressed , make an appoinment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can . if you 're reluctant to seek treatment , talk to friend or loved one .any health care professional , a faith leader or someone else you trust