Depression, causes, symptoms

Battle with depression: What to look for?

Self-styled guru, Bhaiyyu Maharaj, a popular spiritual leader committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Sources close to Bhaiyyu Maharaj claim that he was in a state of depression for some time. His death sent a shockwave among his followers, who gathered in large numbers at the hospital to know about his wellbeing. The note was found saying ” Somebody should be there to handle duties of family. I am leaving too much stressed out, fed up.”

American Psychiatric Association defines depression as the common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

It can be hard for those without depression to understand what someone struggling is going through. Depression is a cruel disease that can affect anyone. Nobody chooses to have depression. It’s not anything to be ashamed of and is understandable that when you are experiencing depression, it becomes difficult to see anything positive about yourself. The way you see the world gets changed.

“People who are spiritually minded tend to suffer from anxiety and depression more. You know why? Because their eyes are open to a world that is in need of repair. They literally have an increased ability to feel the emotions of people around them.” – Osho

Signs

Depression affects the four core areas like your health, behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Few common symptoms are jotted down. The presence of at least 5 of the following for a consecutive 2 weeks period may lead to serious repercussions.

  1. Extreme Loneliness
  2. Hopelessness
  3. Isolation or lowered self-esteem
  4. Sleep or No sleep
  5. Feeling Numb or reduced energy
  6. Feel like Burden
  7. The slowness of Thoughts or action
  8. Self Harm
  9. Thoughts of Suicide

Causes

It is hard to pinpoint a specific cause of depression. Unfavorable life events can increase a person’s vulnerability to depression or trigger a depressive episode. Possibly it can be triggered due to below-mentioned causes;

  1. Physical health issue
  2. Anxiety
  3. Stress
  4. Too much work/Fatigue
  5. Lack of confidence
  6. Rejection/Negative thinking
  7. Sadness
  8. Shock or Major event
  9. Poor nutrition
  10. Smoking, Alchohol, Drugs
  11. Changes in Brain chemistry
  12. Financial Troubles
  13. Maybe the side effect of many medications.

Treatments

  1. Lifestyle modification (Healthy diet, exercise, good habits)
  2. Interpersonal counseling
  3. Spirituality and relaxation techniques
  4. Psychotherapy
  5. Medication (Antidepressants)

Nowadays many therapeutic video games are there available (though not approved from FDA) which are very much helpful. Also, cognitive behavioral therapy options are available online.

A Fact check

  • Depressed people might not be looked depressed.
  • It is treatable.
  • It could be genetic.
  • Only adults get depressed is a myth.
  • Depression is nearly twice as likely to affect women than men.
  • Depression levels fluctuate with weather changes.
  • Depression is linked to other health problems like diabetes, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis.

Dealing with depression is difficult. It is hard to realize, but it deeply affects you. Self-care is the best option to deal with it. Reach out for professional help when you need to. We need to speak out about it in order to eliminate the stigma so that everyone can feel comfortable getting the help they need.

I miss me. The old me, the happy me, the bright me, the smiling me, the laughing me, the gone me.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *