What causes depression is a major question that keeps ticking in many people’s minds.
Some people believe its due to loneliness
Others believe due to difficult relationships.
While others think because of failure in life.
These all things are not depressive. These things make you sad. Remember there is a major difference between sadness and depression
Sadness is a feeling where you want to cry but Depression is a cold absence of feeling.
FACTS ABOUT DEPRESSION
Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person’s life. It creates a negative impact on person life and causes adverse effects on the overall well being of the person. It’s A mental health problem with low mood and disinterest in doing things. In simple words its loss of hope and desire to live.
According to WHO globally 264 million people suffer in depression. It is more common in elderly patients.
More women suffer from depression rather than men. It’s because of hormonal disturbance
We all feel low and moody at time., but when it is intensified it leads to depression.
Depression is more than just a low mood. It is a mental disorder.
MAJOR CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
STRESS
1. Stress: Stress is a major cause of depression and can cause many mental health problems. According to Webster’s dictionary stress is a constant state of worry in personal and work life . Everyone goes through stress that is very normal but how we cope up with stress is important . chronic stress can lead to depression where you are “Burned OUT” mentally and physically.
LIFE EVENTS
2. Life events . Long term unemployment , Living an abusive life or uncaring relationship, long term isolation or loneliness are more likely to cause depression. Initially you will feel demotivated with the effects of life events and gradually you will fall into the chronic mode of depression. Life is hard. Any traumatic event such as getting bullied in school can lead to depression and make it very difficult to deal with.
PERSONALITY
3. Personality . Some people are more at risk of developing depression based on their personality .
For example : This is mainly seen in people who are perfectionist and cannot take criticism. They tend to overthink about a particular thing repeatedly which causes them to burn out and go into a state of depression.These people are sensitive to negative criticism and cannot take things positively. People having low self esteem and who have the tendency of a lot of worry are also prone to it.
SERIOUS MEDICAL ILLNESS
4. Serious medical illness . If you have a serious medical illness like heart disease or cancer and going through long term therapy or treatment, this chronicity of physical health condition can lead to depression.
CHRONIC PAIN
5. Chronic pain : If you are dealing with chronic pain such as migraine , headache , spondylosis or slip disc or arthritis and you have constant pain in your body everyday , no matter if you are on painkillers. This can also lead to depression.
REJECTION IN LIFE
6. Rejection in life : Whether it’s a marriage proposal or whether you are heading for an interview , Rejection is bound to happen. Facing rejection for the first time is difficult to overcome and needs a lot of motivational power. Multiple rejections can lead to depression which can be difficult to deal with. You need more supportive therapy as a part of treatment rather than medicines.
FAILURE IN LIFE
7. Failure in life . Failure in not achieving your goal or the fact that you are not successful enough can lead to disappointment. Failure in multiple walks of life can lead to chronic problems and wanting your life to give up.
LONG TERM MEDICATION
8. Long term medication: If you are taking long term medications like in case of thyroid problems like having hypothyroidism can lead to depression , lethargy with no desire to work
GERIATRIC DEPRESSION
9. Geriatric Depression: This is especially seen in old age when people are lonely with no desire to live.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
10. Postpartum depression It is affecting one in 8 women during the initial months after the childbirth .
OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS
11. Other mental health issues : Anxiety , eating disorder or behavioral problems can lead to mental grief. Long chronic grief can lead to depression which will be difficult in later stages to deal with .
GENETIC
12. Genetic :If any of your family member is suffered from depression or if there is a strong medical history of depression in your family or parents , chances are higher that you will be suffering from depression
LIFESTYLE
13. Lifestyle : Sleep , diet and exercise can affect your mood and can cause a mental disorder. If there is lack of sleep for more than 48 hours and you don’t get enough rest , there is higher risk of mental health problem like depression which can cause a negative impact on your overall well being
SMOKING AND ALCOHOLISM
14. Smoking and Alcoholism . If you are addicted to alcohol and smoking , Remember there is chronic dependence on alcohol or smoking , you can fall into depression once you leave it or stop taking it.
RECREATIONAL DRUGS
15. Recreational drugs: Taking drugs like cocaine , heroin and being dependent on narcotics can cause a big impact on mental health. The withdrawal effect of narcotics can lead to depression.