what are the causes of depression in young adults?

What is depression:

Issues related to mental health are rising. In some societies, talking about mental health is still considered ‘taboo’. Depression is one such mental health issue that is often neglected. Mostly young people feel low, sad, or “blue” at times which is normal behavior, it is a normal response to experiences that are upsetting or stressful. But when these feelings continue to persist over of longer period or start impairing your daily life day yo day task, it can be classified as an illness known as “depression” and you will be needing an immediate doctor’s appointment. Depression is one of the most common mental health concerns all around the planet affecting young people most of the time. The good part is that it is fully treatable. According to studies, 80% of the patients with depression who undergo the required treatment have a better quality of life. They feel much better and enjoy their lives.

Causes of depression in young people:

It is nearly impossible to state a single most specific cause of depression. It is a multifactorial condition with having genes and family tendency could predict whether someone is likely to be susceptible to suffering from depression. The modern life of young people and its associated pressure along with career and studies-related stress is also considered as one of the reasons young people suffer from depression.

In today’s world, our society has been modernized and our youth are fed with information that adds extra pressure on them to complete the challenging needs that are often unrealistic. The young people are overwhelmed with images as to how they are supposed to look, what they are supposed to have, and how they are meant to behave in public, all of which are considered to be important to life-based on just assumptions. When young people see that they can’t become the images that are portrayed to them through social media and television, they frequently feel different and that they are up to no good. Ultimately, this feeling leads them to feel useless and develop low self-esteem which can lead to symptoms of depression.

Educational institutes can be a great setting for learning, development, and growth for all the young people but it can also be a place where they struggle in terms of adjusting according to the norms, keeping up with a lot of homework, exam stress, scores related to stress and performance pressures. Getting low marks at a school exam can result in frustration and may lead to sadness and depressed feelings too. At times, students experience bullying as well which can cause serious mental and physical health-related issues later in life. A feeling of anxiety, lack of concentration, and low self-esteem can result. Then the transfer from one school to another or leaving that school might act to be a trigger for the onset of symptoms of depression.

People in their teens and twenties have to go through multiple stressful relationships and breakups which act as a trigger for depression. For some people, a negative, stressful or unhappy home environment is also a reason for having low self-esteem and experiencing symptoms of depression. Conflicts and fights in a family, parental divorce, or separation leading to a change in the home dynamics can also lead to feelings of anger, insecurity, guilt, and a sense of loss.

Several young people are reported to have been having depression due to poverty, abuse, or violence in their homes. Difficulties in making and maintaining friendships or relationships can lead to hopelessness and depression which even makes it further difficult for the younger generation to find and connect with someone they feel comfortable with to share their insecurities and worries. There are several other triggers too that have been identified in the lives of young people and they include loss of a loved one, physical illness of self or a loved one, living with a partner or a parent who has depression, being the victim of emotional or physical abuse, gaining weight, or mostly due to financial problems too.

Most effective treatment:

Several treatment options can be served to young people. however, ketamine infusion therapy is the most suggested one especially in such cases where all the other treatment options have failed. IV ketamine therapy has proven to show highly effective results in all age groups.