Depression: The new national epidemic in many countries
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Sadness and grief are some of the most common human emotions. You can never stay away from these emotions unless you have attained salvation. Most of the people undergo through such type feeling for a short period and time heals these feelings naturally. But if these emotions have become a part of your nature and it has started affecting your daily life. Then you might be suffering from the new national epidemic for many countries that is known as depression. Due to our current lifestyle, limited socializing, and work pressure, depression has become a new normal for most people. A person might not have heard about arthritis in the modern-day era, but he must be aware of depression.
In the U.S, depression is the no.1 mental illness that is affecting more than 18.1% of the U.S population aged 18 years and above. Depression is curable but knowing whether you are suffering from just an emotional trauma or depression is very difficult. This is why only 36.9% of people suffering from depression get the right treatment. This blog post addressed different types of anxiety depressions, their causes, symptoms and the best treatment method.
Following are some of the most common types of depression:-
Persistent depressive disorder
This type of depression has been categorized as a low level of depression because of its minimal severity. The persistent depressive disorder doesn’t last longer than two or three years. In the U.S, 1.5 per cent of the population suffers from a persistent depressive disorder. Some of the common symptoms of this type of depression are the sudden onset of feelings of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness. In some cases, the person suffering may feel a low level of energy throughout the day.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder affects more than 2.8% of the U.S population, and it is more common than the persistent depressive disorder. You will be surprised to know that almost 83% of the bipolar disorder cases are considered and severe. It affects both men and women. Most of the people who have bipolar disorder will have energized mood at one time, and then suddenly, they will start feeling sad. This is why it is known as bipolar disorder. There are different levels of bipolar disorder, and to get the right treatment. One should get himself diagnosed for the type of bipolar disorder he is suffering from.
Seasonal depression
In this type of anxiety disorder, the mood of the person is affected by seasonal changes. This is why this type of disorder is known as a seasonal disorder. According to the available data, almost 5% of the population suffers from seasonal depression in the U.S, and that’s why it’s one of the most common types of depression. It is triggered by the onset of autumn and continues until the winter. Seasonal depression in the summer has been detected in rare cases only.
Situational depression
There are many types of depression, and situational depression is one of them. It’s equally common in men and women, and its development is not the same in all cultures. It is estimated that between three and ten percent of individuals in primary care and outpatient mental health facilities suffer from situational depression. The primary difference between situational depression and clinical depression is the stressor that triggers the depression. Unlike clinical depression, which involves a specific cause, situational depression is not accompanied by psychotic symptoms.
Symptoms of situational depression can last from a few days to a few months. Once situational depression has become chronic, however, it can develop into a more serious illness. However, if it has lasted for six months or more. It is more likely to be a condition of a different type of depression. If it’s been a while since your last depressive episode, it’s still worth talking to a health care provider.
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. There are many different types of depression, but they all have the same defining symptoms: persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and a general sense of melancholy. There are also different subtypes of depression, and the duration of diagnosis depends on these specifiers. It is important to understand each type to choose the best course of treatment.
What causes depression?
Depression doesn’t happen because of a single factor; rather, it is a result of a complex interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. In most of the cases, people suffering from depression have gone through a tough phase of life like the death of loved ones, unemployment, physical abuse, etc. All these factors lead to depression, and it further worsens the situation for the person who is already dealing with different life-related problems.
But depression doesn’t happen only because of the mental state of your mind, as in many cases; researchers have found a link between physical health and depression. For example, a person suffering from cardiovascular disease has higher chance of depression.
Some of the most common causes of depression are as follows:-
- Anxiety disorder
- Too much alcohol consumption
- Certain prescription drugs
- Genetic
- Diabetes and Cancer
- Physical abuse
- Age, gender and geography
What is the best treatment for depression?
The good news is that depression is treatable, but still, only one-third of the people suffering from depression reach out for help and receive treatment. The most common treatment for all different types of depression is low dose antidepressant drugs and psychological counselling. If your condition is very severe, then the doctor might recommend a high dose of antidepressant drugs. According to research, 40 to 60 people suffering from depression out of 100 saw improvement after taking antidepressant drugs just after six to eight weeks.
But you still can’t ignore the importance of psychological counselling for treating depression because, after all, depression is a mental illness. In psychological counselling. The psychiatrist will discuss about your problems and will try to keep you motivated by giving you different personal goals. This way, you will surely be able to improve the symptoms of depression.
