Depression is generally misunderstood as just feeling sad. People do not understood it and usually develop false notions regarding it. But depression is a complex condition, and the facts about depression, depression symptoms, and depression management might surprise you.
Based on the following criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, or DSM-V, doctors diagnose patients having depression. At least five of the following symptoms should happen nearly every day for at least two weeks:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of pleasure in doing most activities and lethargy creeping in
- Considerable weight change or altered appetite
- Change in sleep
- Change in activity
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Diminished concentration
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Suicidality
These symptoms may look simple but it has amplifying impacts. Here are some facts that may surprise you.
- Depression has various triggers. Depression sometimes develops without apparent cause. People may develop depression if they’ve recently been through a stressful life event, if they’ve had suffered depression in the past, or if a close family member has been depressed.
- Genes are one factor. If there is a family history of depression, it may be the cause of depression because there is a genetic predisposition to depression.
- Depression affects the body. Depression creates adverse effects in the body in the same manner as any other illness. The symptom of depression includes stomach problems, headache, shortness of breath, and general physical tension.
- Diet plays a role in Depression. According to a review of research published in January 2016 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, depression is linked to the relationship between the brain, the central nervous system, and the “good” bacteria in the gut.
- Depressed brains are structured differently. Structures of brain and brain circuits have shown to be working differently, when seen through the imaging studies of the brain.
- Depression is associated to other health problems. People may have a considerable risk of depression if they suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
- Depressed people Laugh. Depressed people may seem happy on the outside and they can seem upbeat and cheerful, but inside they’re struggling with the symptoms of depression.
- Exercise helps manage depression. People with depression should exercise and aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days to improve their mood state.
- Prescriptions and Medications are needed. To treat depression, antidepressant medications must be used in combination with other medications to achieve and maintain relief.
- Therapy is Effective. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other therapeutic strategies like transcranial magnetic stimulation are useful for effective depression treatment.
- Warming up could help. Heat acts as a sort of antidepressant and thus, hot yoga, a warm bath or shower, saunas, and hot tubs could be used as relaxant.
- Depression is a top cause of disability. Depression stops your brain from functioning properly. Depressed people can’t make decisions and every decision requires huge mental effort.