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Depression Is a Disease Or Not

Depression Is A Most Common Complex And Often Debilitating Experience

By Rakesh Tiwari 02Published about a year ago 5 min read
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Depression Is A Most Common Complex And Often Debilitating Experience Affecting Millions Worldwide. Despite Its Widespread Impact, There Is Still Much That Is Unknown About Depression. And We Often Don’t Want To Talk About Them. In This Blog, We Discuss The Causes Of Depression And Talk Briefly About whether This Depression Is a Disease Or Not???

Depression Is A Hint Of Persistent Sadness, Hopelessness, And A Distrust Kind Of Mindset In Depression, We Can’t Enjoy The Thing Also We Used To Enjoy.

It Can Also Manifest In Physical Symptoms, Such As Fatigue, Changes In Appetite And Sleep Sequel, And Difficulty Concentrating.

Depression is much more than just going through a phase of “feeling low”. It is a severe mood disorder and a mental health condition that impacts the physical, emotional, and Mental Health of a person. Clinical Depression has the power to affect your thoughts, behavior, and feelings, and disrupt your actions, habits, and day-to-day life.

This serious mood disorder affects more than 350 million people across the globe. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is a leading cause of disability in the world and also one of the foremost “contributors to the overall global burden of disease”.

At its worst, it can compel people to commit suicide.

Globally, An Estimated 264 People Suffer From Depressive Episodes, One Of The Most Common Causes Of Disability, While Many Also Experience Anxiety Symptoms.

(Source: Who)

Depression Is a Disease Or Not??

Depression Is a Disease Or Not???

Overview Of Depression Being Classified As A Mental Illness Or Disease

For Many Years, Depression Has Been Described As A Mental Illness Or A Disease. Depression Is Often Treated As A Medical Condition, And For Those Who Experience It And It’s Our Responsibility To Encourage Them To Seek Psychiatric Or Medical Treatment. Depression Is A Mental Illness This Perspective Can Discourage People From Seeking Help And Lead To A Negative Self-Image, Which Can Further Worsen Their Depression. Therefore, It Is Important To Critically Examine This Conventional Understanding Of Depression And Consider Alternative Perspectives.

In The United States, Compared To 74% A Year Ago, More Than 8 Out Of 10 (84%) Psychologists Who Treat Anxiety Disorders Reported An Increase In Demand For Anxiety Treatment.

There Are Different Perspectives To Understand Depression

There Are Several Challenges To Understanding It As A Mental Illness Or Disease. These Alternative Perspectives Include A Focus On The Psychological, Social, And Cultural Factors That Cause Depression.

For Example, Some Psychologists View Depression As A Normal Human Experience That Can Be Triggered By Life Events Or Traumatic Experiences. Others View Depression As A Result Of A Lack Of Meaningful Connections Or A Lack Of Purpose In Life.

Additionally, These Alternative Perspectives Can Help Individuals Who Are Struggling With Depression To See Their Experience As A Common And Understandable Response To Life Events And Provide Them With A Sense Of Hope And Resilience.

Demand For Depression Treatment Is Also On The Rise, With 72% Of Psychologists Who Treat Depressive Disorders Reporting An Increase, Up From 60% In 2020.

(Source: American Psychological Association)

“Depression Is Being Colorblind And Constantly

Told How Colorful The World Is.” — Atticus.

Some Of The Lesser-Known Symptoms Of Depression May Be Overcompensation Through Perceived Happiness, Hypersexuality, Or Maybe Working Too Much. Sometimes Is Also Seen As Many Depressed People Seek Relief From Their Overwhelming Feelings Of Loneliness By Forming Attachments With Others.

While With Some It Is A Disconnected And Numb Feeling To Emotions. Misuse Of Alcohol And Other Substances Is Also Seen At Times.

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What causes depression?

To understand depression it is important to understand what causes this disorder in the first place. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that Depression is a complicated combination of various psychological, environmental (connected to the social and family environment), and biological factors.

Psychological Factors:

An individual’s outlook on life largely depends upon his habitual thoughts.

The habitual thoughts, in turn, have their roots in the upbringing or the childhood experiences of the individual. These experiences coupled with the individual’s reactions to the experiences mold and create his character.

For instance, a child exposed to a very severe and abusive childhood may grow up with little or no self-confidence, and low self-esteem. A child who is repeatedly criticized may find his perspective or views of the world colored by negativity.

The constant negative thoughts can make an individual act in negative ways, which can create difficult situations in life, causing the individual to suffer emotionally and mentally.

Environmental Factors:

A number of situations in the immediate environment of a person can affect his/her mental health and emotional well-being. Situations such as:

financial problems

job loss

stress at workplace

stressful relationships (either with a spouse, parents, and other family members)

separations/divorce

death of a loved one

unemployment

chronic health conditions or terminal illnesses

social isolation

family violence

low income

living alone

the body not being able to adjust to changing weather conditions, especially during peak summer or winter due to a chemical imbalance in the brain and the hormone melatonin. This condition is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Biological Factors:

An oft-stated theory is that clinical depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.

The drugs prescribed by doctors are an attempt to bring about a balance in those chemicals. Whether this imbalance of chemicals is a cause of depression or not remains a topic of dispute, but what has been observed is that when a person becomes depressed there is a reduction in the number of certain neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine) found in the brain. Once the depression lifts from the person, the chemical imbalance returns to normal.

Apart from the above-mentioned major factors which contribute to depression, another important factor is family history. Research shows that people whose parents or siblings suffer from depression are three times more likely to suffer from this disorder.

Depression Is a Disease Or Not??

Depression Is a Disease Or Not??

What are the symptoms of depression? How is depression diagnosed?

Emotional Symptoms

Behavioral Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

What are the complications of depression?

panic attacks

social anxiety or phobia leading to social isolation

losing weight or putting on weight excessively

physical pains and illnesses

suicidal thoughts and attempts

substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol

the immune system can be affected

prone to heart disease and may even die from it

Final Thoughts And Call To Action:

In Conclusion, Depression Is A Complex Issue That Cannot Be Fully Understood Or Addressed By A Single Perspective. In Essence, A Basic Understanding And Clarity Of These Conditions Can Aid In Reducing Fear And Misunderstanding Of Mental Illness. It Will Give You And Your Loved Ones The Courage And Discipline To Face It. It Is Important That We Continue To Challenge Conventional Understandings Of Depression And Work Towards A More Holistic And Compassionate Approach To Addressing This Complex Issue.

Editable Vector Of Man On Chair With Head In Hand

Depression Is a Disease Or Not??

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