Depression is a mental disorder defined by low mood, feelings of worthlessness, and impaired thinking, emotion regulation, sleep, physical activity, appetite and energy levels.
Depression occurs when the body’s natural response to stress becomes too much. The severity and duration of the symptoms may increase as the intensity and frequency of the circumstances that cause them increase. Those suffering from depression are more likely to have increased anxiety, increased negative thoughts, decreased concentration, memory loss and slowed thinking.
So what are the dangers of depression? Well, for one it can cause someone to feel suicidal. Those suffering from major depressive disorder have a higher chance of committing suicide than the general population. Having major depressive disorder also leads to feelings of anger and resentment towards other people. Depression can also lead to an increase in destructive behaviors such as drinking and smoking habits as well as eating disorders like binge eating or anorexia nervosa.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) occurs in about 5% of women and 3% of men. The risk is increased with economic problems, such as poverty, unemployment, and low social support. Other potential risk factors include: feeling isolated and disconnected, anger and aggression, and life events like loss of a job or a loved one.
The signs and symptoms of depression may not be noticed by those around. If they are noticed, it is difficult to determine whether the symptoms are due to recent life events or due to the ongoing depression itself.
The first signs of depression often include: sadness or decreased interest in things that were once important to the patient, remaining sad longer than usual after something good happens, sadness turning into anxiety, anxiety turning into anger and constant irritability, frequent bouts of crying without knowing why.
Depression can last for weeks, months or even years. There is no clear picture of how long it lasts for someone. Some people experience depression that lasts just a few days or just a few weeks while others may have depression that lasts for months, years, even decades.
If you are suffering from depression, it can be difficult to know what should be done. The best way to approach it is to first identify the reason for your depression. This could be caused by personal obstacles, unmet needs or general triggers for the disorder. Once you have identified the cause of your depression, look into ways that might help alleviate the problem without causing more issues. For instance, if your depression is a result of something that happened to you, it may be a good idea to talk about it.
It is important to talk about what happened and how it made you feel. If you cannot tell others how you feel, seek therapy. Keep in mind that therapy may not help with all types of depressive disorders and may not help at all. If therapy is something that appeals to you, continue looking for someone who specializes in the type of therapy that most appeals to you and the issues you might be facing.
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