Nowadays, the number of people who are suffering from depression has increased. Those who are suffering from depression are finding it very difficult to lead their lives normally. When the symptoms of depression become very extreme, the life may become intolerable and very difficult to even carry out the daily chores. So, before the situation become worse, it is better to take appropriate treatment.

What Causes Depression?

People think that anxiety and depression can only manifest in families with a history of panic disorder. Unfortunately, at a busy, modernized world, anyone can suffer from depression. There are multitudes of reasons that trigger depression but here are some of the most common causes:

• Major life events that cause stress such as death, childbirth, break-up of a marriage, the loss of a loved etc.
• Illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, etc.
• Several kinds of medicines especially steroids and narcotics for pain relief
• Drinking of alcohol and illegal drugs

At present, no laboratory tests have been developed to diagnose depression. While some physicians can request for a mental status exam, depression treatment is usually based on a patient’s reported self-experiences.

Symptoms of Depression

The general term “depression” is used to describe a disorder, which is characterized by low mood accompanied, by low self-esteem and loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities. It can disable a person’s faculties and can adversely affect his work, school life as well as his relationship with family and friends. Other symptoms of depression include:

• Constant feeling of worthlessness, guilt, regret and self hatred
• Poor memory and concentration
• Withdrawal from societal activities and thoughts of suicide
• Changes in sleeping habits (a depressed person usually suffers from insomnia)
• Loss of appetite which leads to weight loss
• Chronic fatigue, headache and digestive problems
• Some depressed people also suffer from anxiety attacks and panic attacks

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms enumerated above for at least 2 weeks, then it is time for you to get help. Remember, chronic depression not only affects the quality of your life, but also everyone else around you. It is not a disorder that goes away by itself; you need treatment in order to get away from it.

Getting help of a therapist:

If you are seriously bent on overcoming depression, the first step to take is to recognize the disorder and to find a therapist to help you process your feelings and thoughts.

It does not matter if your therapist has a PhD in psychology or an unlicensed life coach, what’s important is that you are able to connect with him/her. Look for someone you can trust to listen attentively to what you have to say, someone who will not pressure you in telling your story or taking steps in resolving your issue. An effective therapist is one who will let you understand that your experience is a normal occurrence, but that it is something you can resolve at your own time. He or she offers you options but it is still up to you to address your issue.

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