The world we live in is both beautiful and terrifying.
Every single day, there is both life and death, happiness and sadness, fear and excitement.
Life looks different for everyone.
There are different paths, journeys, and adventures that call to us. Each person has their own childhood, memories, skills, careers, and more that are unique to them.
No two journeys are the same. Even two people who grew up in the same house or two people who work in the same job, at the same company, in the same town, will have different thoughts, views, perspectives, and emotions.
With the world being so chaotic and everyone on their own trajectories for their lives, how can we help if someone is struggling?
Let's take a look at depression, the causes, and the symptoms to look out for.
What is Depression?
Depression is a common and very serious type of mood disorder. It can affect the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Depression is defined as "a persistent feeling of sadness and a loss of interest, especially in things that were once enjoyed by the affected individual."
If left untreated, it can lead to a variety of emotional, mental, and physical problems.
What Causes Depression?
There isn't one main cause of depression. There are several different factors that play a role in causing or worsening depression:
Brain chemistry: Alterations in brain chemical levels can be linked to depression.
Genetics: Characteristics like eye and hair color can be passed down from a parent to their children. Depression can also be inherited through genetics. If you have a relative with depression, you have a greater likelihood of becoming depressed.
Life events: Life events are one of the main causes of depression. Life can be unexpected, which can lead to uncertainty and anxiety. Stress, death, or other traumatic events can lead to depression.
Medical conditions: Ongoing physical pain and illnesses are linked to depression. People will diseases like cancer or diabetes are more likely to become depressed due to their mental and physical state.
Medication: Depression is listed as a side effect of many medications. Substances like drugs and alcohol can also cause or worsen depression.
Personality: People who are easily stressed or have trouble managing their emotions are more likely to develop depression.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
The signs and symptoms of depression will vary depending on the individual, as well as the length of time the depression has been left untreated.
If you notice yourself or a loved one experiencing any of the symptoms below for more than two weeks, it may be time to reach out for help:
Aches
Anxious
Appetite changes
Cramps
Digestive problems
Fatique
Feeling empty
Frustration
Headaches
Hopelessness
Inability to make decisions
Irritable
Lack of concentration
Loss of interest
Pains
Restlessness
Slow speech and movement
Suicide attempts
Thoughts of death
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Weight changes
Worthlessness
Depression and its symptoms cannot be fixed overnight. Sadness may be a symptom of depression, but they shouldn't be confused with one another. You can't just snap out of a depressive state like you may be able to do if you're feeling sad.
How to Help
If you or someone you love has signs or symptoms of depression, reach out for help and support.
Just because you have a mental health struggle does not make you crazy. They can be caused by anything from genetics, hormone imbalances, or any other number of things.
We want you to feel better, let’s chat about how we can help you with depression.
Schedule an individual session with us here.
