Depression is a psychological disorder which is placed under the category of mood disorders. This disorder can be described as having a constant feeling of sadness, anger, or loss which often interferes with the everyday activities of an individual. This is one of the most common psychological disorders all across the globe. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 8.1% of adults in America over the age of 20 suffered from depression at least for a period of two weeks between the years 2013 and 2016. It is important to remember that every individual can experience depression in a different way and all of these symptoms can also interfere with the everyday activity of an individual. There are also many studies which suggest that depression can influence chronic health conditions and relationships. Hence, it is important for an individual to look for the hidden signs of depression. This can result in that individual getting the right kind of help and treating depression. And in this academic writing piece, students will first be able to learn about what exactly depression is, its various causes, and the symptoms of depression.
What is Depression?
Before one can go ahead and start taking the steps for treating depression, it is important for an individual to learn what exactly depression is. As it was mentioned above, depression is a psychological disorder. This mood disorder might often result in an individual feeling sad, angry, or a sense of constant loss. This is a rather common psychological disorder and it can severely affect the ability of an individual to perform his or her everyday tasks. This psychological disorder can also worsen a number of other biological diseases. And some of those biological diseases which can become worse due to depression are mentioned below.
- Cardiovascular diseases
It is important for an individual to remember that feeling down or sad sometimes is a rather normal part of life. But if that feeling of sadness constantly seems to be stuck in an individual’s life or if somebody feels hopeless or miserable on a regular basis then that might mean that the individual is suffering from depression. It is important for readers to remember that treating depression is not an easy task. But it can be achieved if an individual gets professional medical attention at the right time. There are also two major types of depression. And those two major types of depression are mentioned below.
- Major Depressive Disorder
This is the more severe form of depression and it is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and unworthiness which just won’t go away on their own. Some of the common symptoms which are observed by individuals who are suffering from major depressive disorder include observing a significant weight gain or loss, losing interest in previously favored activities, often being indecisive, having recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. There are also different types of major depressive disorder. Treating depression, in this case, can be quite challenging.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder or PDD was previously known as dysthymia. This is a chronic but mild form of depression. It is important for the readers to know that before diagnosis for this disorder can be made, the various symptoms of depression must be observed for at least two years. This type of depression can affect the life of an individual in a more severe manner since it lasts for a longer period of time than major depressive disorder.
The Causes of Depression
The scientific community does not agree on a single cause of depression but they instead believe that depression can be caused due to a number of reasons. And some of those common causes of depression are mentioned below.
- Childhood Trauma
- An individual with a family history of depression is more prone to suffering from depression
- If the frontal lobe of the brain is less active then that also makes an individual more prone to depression
- Certain chronic illnesses like chronic pain, insomnia, or cancer can also put an individual at a higher risk of suffering from depression
- A history of alcohol abuse or drug abuse
Before treating depression, it is important for a medical professional to determine the cause behind why an individual might be suffering from depression.
The Symptoms of Depression
There are various hidden signs of depression. And some of those different hidden signs are mentioned below.
Unusual Sleeping, Drinking or Eating Patterns
One of the biggest tell-tale sign that somebody is suffering from depression is if they have drastically changed their sleeping, drinking, or eating patterns. If an individual cannot sleep, eat, or drink anything for extended periods of time then that means that something is wrong. It is also important for the readers to remember that if an individual is sleeping for longer durations of time, or eating and drinking more than their usual amount then that might also be a warning sign.
It is common for people to come up with excuses to avoid social activities when they might be feeling sad or hopeless. But if an individual is constantly coming up with excuses to avoid all sorts of social contact then that means that something is wrong. And it might also be important for some other individual to look into the matter.
Different Topics of Conversation
One of the biggest signs that medical professionals observe while treating depression is that people suffering from depression tend to get more philosophical. While it might be absolutely normal for an individual to be somewhat philosophical every now and then but if that individual is talking about things which he or she might not in other conditions then something might be wrong.
Putting Out and Taking Back their Cry for Help
People who are suffering from depression often struggle within themselves to keep their condition a secret. This is why they conceal their true feeling. And if an individual might even put out a cry for help then he or she might also quickly take it back as they wouldn’t want anybody else to think that there was something wrong. The first step for treating depression actually involves the individual to accept everything that he or she might be suffering from and make a conscious effort to overcome the situation.
It is normal for everybody to feel quite optimistic on some days and pessimistic on the others. However, when one cannot help but be pessimistic for longer durations of time then that mean that something might be wrong.
These are some of the most common hidden signs that an individual might be suffering from depression.
Depression is a mood disorder in which an individual feels lost, angry, and hopeless for an extended period of time. There are also two major types of depression. And those two different types of depression are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. Depression is a rather common psychological disorder and according to the experts, there can be many causes as to why an individual might be suffering from depression. And some of the common causes include a family history of psychological disorders, childhood trauma, suffering from some other chronic illness, and many other causes. It is important for an individual to identify the various hidden signs of depression. And some of those hidden signs are changes in eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, providing constant excuses to avoid all sorts of social activities, and many other signs.