Depression a Major Issue

More than 70% of the population on the planet is living with a façade of happiness and are negating their true feelings, out of this 70%, 90% people are in mild Depression and 50% are in sever issue, this blog features an overall self-diagnosis of this issue and I hope this might help you to have a happy life.  

Introduction

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that has a negative impact on how you feel, think, and act. It is, thankfully, treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. It can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems, as well as a reduction in your ability to function at work and at home.

For a depression diagnosis, symptoms must last at least two weeks and represent a change in your previous level of functioning.

Furthermore, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumor, or vitamin deficiency) can mimic depression symptoms, so it is critical to rule out general medical causes.

Grief and Depression

At times we consider grief and depression as same terms but there are a lot of differences in these two

• In grief, painful emotions come in waves that are frequently intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. Mood and/or interest (pleasure) are reduced for the majority of the first two weeks of major depression.
• Self-esteem is usually maintained during grief. Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common in major depression.
• When thinking about or fantasizing about "joining" the deceased loved one, thoughts of death may arise. Major depression is characterized by thoughts of suicide as a result of feeling worthless or undeserving of life or being unable to cope with the pain of depression.

Depression and grief can coexist. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or being the victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can all lead to depression in some people. When grief and depression coexist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief alone.

Differentiating between grief and depression is critical because it can help people get the help, support, or treatment they require.

Risk Factors 

Depression can strike anyone, even those who appear to be in relatively good circumstances.

Several factors can contribute to depression:

Biochemistry: Variations in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to depression symptoms.

Depression can be passed down through families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70% chance of developing the illness at some point in their lives.

Personality: People who have low self-esteem, are easily overwhelmed by stress, or are pessimistic in general appear to be more likely to suffer from depression.

Environmental Factors: Prolonged exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty may predispose some people to depression.

Treatment of Depression

Depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. Between 80% and 90% of people with depression respond favorably to treatment. Almost all patients experience some symptom relief.

A thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and a physical examination, should be performed by a health professional prior to a diagnosis or treatment. In some cases, a blood test may be performed to ensure that the depression is not caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or a vitamin deficiency (reversing the medical cause would alleviate the depression-like symptoms). The evaluation will identify specific symptoms and will investigate medical and family histories, as well as cultural and environmental factors, in order to arrive at a diagnosis and plan a course of action.

Psychotherapy

It is also known as "talk therapy," is sometimes used alone to treat mild depression; however, for moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is frequently used in conjunction with antidepressant medications. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression. CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on problem solving in the present moment. CBT assists a person in recognizing distorted/negative thinking in order to change thoughts and behaviors in order to respond to challenges in a more positive manner.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

ECT is a medical treatment that is typically reserved for patients suffering from severe major depression who have not responded to other treatments. It consists of a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is sedated. ECT is typically administered two to three times per week for a total of six to twelve treatments. A team of trained medical professionals, including a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse or physician assistant, is usually in charge. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and many years of research have resulted in significant advancements and recognition of its effectiveness as a mainstream rather than "last resort" treatment.

Contact Information

Doctors and Researchers that would like to include their comments and Opinion via our journal “Primary Health Care: Open Access” Do contact us via mail at primcare@journasci.org or contact me via WhatsApp : +44 79156-41605