Author: Laith Jadallah
A common misconception is that depression is a process of aging in adults. However, depression is a medical condition that is treated in many ways using psychotherapeutic methods such as electroconvulsive therapy and medication such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and atypical antidepressants.
Electroconvulsive therapy is intentionally triggering small and short seizures in the brain using electric currents while done under anesthesia. This is used to reverse effects of depression.
There are many symptoms of depression such as sadness, unintentional weight loss or gain, recurring thoughts of suicide, losing interest in activities that usually please you and having negative thoughts about yourself constantly. Depression is a disorder that alters your mood negatively (unlike normal people having mood fluctuations). Depression can last for at least two weeks and if not given the proper treatment, months or years.
Depression is around twice as commonly found in women as it is in men according to the CDC (centers for Disease control and Prevention). Women mostly suffer from postpartum depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which are both only found in females only.
Males with depression however are more likely to resort to alcohol and display anger than females. Symptoms of depression found in males include working without a break, avoiding their families and displaying domestic abuse.
Depression is also commonly found within children. Symptoms of depression may affect a child’s social life, school life and their attitudes towards their families. These symptoms include low energy, crying and vocal outburst or purposely getting into trouble.
Although there is no certain cause of depression, there are many environmental and genetic causes of depression which include one’s genetic features, bipolar disorder, social standard and acceptance.
Although there are medical ways to treat depression, there are also various natural remedies that can help counteract the symptoms of depression. These include chamomile (has flavonoids that have an antidepressant effect), ginseng (to increase mental clarity and bring down stress levels), St John’s wort, and lavender (reduces sleeping problems and reduces anxiety. These remedies should be reviewed by professionals as they are not approved by the FDA.
Depression can also be countered with a healthy diet. The consumption of various sugars and processed foods can lead to depression. Foods like fruits, vegetables and fish can help reduce the symptoms of depression. Exercise is also proven to be an effective way to bring down depression levels. Swimming and running and other types of aerobic exercise have proven to raise endorphin levels and stimulate norepinephrine which is what controls mood.
Depression is diagnosed by a doctor through various questions surrounding the symptoms of depression and the duration of their effects. Doctors may also conduct many different tests including the Hamilton depression Rating scale (includes a number of questions with a score indicating the level of depression of the patient) and The Beck Depression Inventory (also a questionnaire to determine the severity of depression.
There is no known cure for depression. However, there is a series of effective treatment methods that will bring an individual to recovery. To prevent the symptoms from returning, if you are taking any medication advised by a professional, you should keep taking them as long as your doctor has advised (not when your symptoms go away).
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