Depression and low mood treatment
Depression may be considered one of the most common psychological conditions, unfortunately its also a condition that can have a serious impact on ones life when not managed. It’s normal that people with depression tend to keep their problems to themselves, which makes it hard to properly know who needs help. Before you go to seek help for yourself or a loved one you think has depression, it perhaps could be beneficial to understand what depression is and how it may affect you.
What is depression and how can it affect you?
Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects not only how you feel, also how you act and think in extremely negative ways. It can cause a tremendous feeling of prolonged sadness, low- mood, no- motivation and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Due to feelings and behaviours that arise and the emotional and physical problems that arise it can decrease your ability to function at home, work and school.
What causes Depression?
The symptoms of depression can be different from person to person, how you experience feelings of sadness and to degree of strength. Based on this, symptoms can vary from mild to severe, these might include,
- Low and depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness and sadness.
- Avoidance of talking about feelings with others.
- Burn- out, Nothing left to give, unmotivated to go to work and school.
- Loss of energy and increased fatigue.
- Change in sleeping and appetite patterns, excessive or less eating or sleeping.
- Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities.
Just because depression is a serious condition doesn’t mean its impossible to treat. Fortunately depression is treatable, it just takes commitment, patience and time.
Depression, what is the risk factors?
Just like other mental health conditions, Depression has its own type of risk factors. These can increase the risk of developing Depression, and it depends on your context and situation.
These can include.
- Personality: People whom have low self -esteem, who are overwhelmed by stress or are pessimistic seem to be more likely to experience Depression.
- Environmental factors: Exposure over time to violence, abuse, neglect or poverty can contribute towards making some people more vulnerable to depression.
- Genetics: when depression may run families. An example is when one identical twin experiences depression the other has a 70 percent chance of having it as some point in their life.
- Biochemistry: The difference in specific chemicals in the brain can contribute to symptoms of depression.
Helping you with depression
Depression, despite being a common psychological condition, is something to take seriously.
Depression can at times be normally manageable, there are other times when it can not and depression hits and you can feel overwhelmed by life’s worries. Unfortunately, a lot of people experience depression and emotional, physical and mental weight it brings along with it. If you have had enough of depression taking over your life and relationship with others, feel free to reach out. Between 80% - 90% of people with depression eventually respond well to ‘ACT’ therapy. Want to find new ways of managing your depression in ways that would help live a better and meaningful life. Reach out today