If you are worried about being depressed, you shouldn’t worry about contacting a medical professional to come up with a diagnosis. Mental health professionals will be able to diagnose you and issue a treatment plan.
If you are a teenager, one of the most effective options for doctors to recommend is a residential teen treatment center. For adults, doctors will often recommend medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
If you’re worried about suffering from depression, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact a medical professional who can provide a comprehensive treatment for you.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Depression?
Persistent Depressed Mood
Feeling sad or depressed from time to time is normal. What constitutes clinical depression is when someone frequently or overwhelmingly experiences these moods. You should expect life to be sad at times. Things are always changing, which is a cause of sadness itself. However, if these moods persist even when there is no discernible cause to your sadness, you might be experiencing depression.
Loss of Interest In Things You Once Enjoyed
Similar to feeling sad, we lose interest in things that used to bring us joy. That’s a natural part of life. We may not be as interested in playing sports as we used to be. We may also not want to hike as often as we once did. However, if suddenly nothing excites you in the slightest degree, you might be suffering from depression rather than simply having waning interest in activities you used to enjoy.
With depression, things you typically love, such as hanging out with friends or your significant other might become completely dull.
Feelings of Worthlessness
Everyone experiences feelings of self-doubt and questions their self-esteem and confidence. However, if you find these thoughts venturing into thoughts that the world would be better off without you, that no one cares about you being alive, and that your life is meaningless, you are likely suffering from depression.
Poor Concentration
Frequent lack of concentration and distractedness is a common issue for people suffering from depression. Activities that are typically very easy to perform might become difficult. You might have trouble performing at work even though you naturally excel at your job.
Thoughts of Self Harm
Suicidal ideation is one of the most severe and concerning symptoms of depression. If you or someone you know has expressed thoughts of suicide, you should talk to them and be there for them, encouraging them to call the National Suicide Preventioin Lifeline. You should do your best to get them to call the hotline so they have access to free and confidential support from licensed professionals.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Depression?
Abuse
Physical, mental, sexual, or emotional abuse can make you more susceptible to depression if left unaddressed and untreated.
Age
Elderly people and younger people are more susceptible to depression. Older people,are more likely to suffer from depression if they are experiencing health issues. Younger people are more likley to experience depression if they are going through life changes, experiencing abuse, or lots of conflict at home.
Medications
Some drugs, such as isotretinoin, the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict
Depression caused by conflict can be either from directly experiencing conflict in your family. It can also make you biologically susceptible if conflict has been passed down from generation to generation.
Death or Grief
Sadness and grief resulting from the death of a loved one or a breakup can cause depression.
Gender
Women are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. However, it should be noted that women are also more likely to come forth about their depression than men. The hormonal changes in women could also play a role in the increased numbers.
Genes
Family history of depression plays a role in determining whether people suffer from this illness. There are likely many genetic traits affecting whether someone is more susceptible to depression than others. The genetics of depression are likely much more complex than those causing physical diseases such as Hungington’s chorea or cystic fibrosis.
Major Events
Ironically, even good events, such as a wedding or graduation, can cause depression. The reason for this is because it causes significant change in the patient’s life. Moving, starting a new job, divorces, retirement, though all containing some positive connotations can have equally disruptive effects on individuals.
Medical Issues
Sometimes, illnesses or surgeries can cause depression in individuals.
Substance Abuse
A substantial portion of people with substance abuse issues also have clinical depression. Ibn moderation, recreational drugs typically won’t cause depression. However, when abused they are more likely to cause clinical depression.
How Is Genetics Linked to Depression?
Depression is linked to certain families, but the link is somewhat unclear. Children, siblings, and parents of people with severe depression are somewhat more likely than general population members to have depression.
The cause of this is likely multiple genes of specific types interacting with each other. It is unlikely that there is a single depression gene but rather, many genes that contribute to depression.
Seeking Help
If you feel like you have been trying to shake these feelings for weeks and like you just can’t seem to get very far, you might be experiencing depression. Although depression has a range of symptoms, the most common are a depressed mood, lack of interest in anything in life, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts.
If you feel like you have depression, you should consider talking to your primary care physician. They will be able to assess your condition and recommend a treatment protocol that fits your needs best. A mental health professional will likely perform an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
Treatment typically involves therapy, medication or a combination of both.
