Depression Causes and Cure.

Depression is an expression of being unhappy which you become aware of.

Suddenly you feel that nothing is working out for you and you are at odds with yourself,doubting about your job,relationship and the meaning of Life.

Some of the symptoms are:

• Losing interest in life
• Finding it harder to make decisions
• Not coping with things that used to be manageable
• Exhaustion
• Feeling restless and agitated
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Difficulties getting to sleep
• Your mind seems in a turmoil and is assailed with doubts.”
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/disorders_depression.shtml

You get the feeling that whatever you are doing at present is worthless and might feel you are searching for something of which you are not sure.

If you happen to read books and if they happen to be depressive you sink further.

Any well-meaning advice will appear to be useless and you might feel despondent.

What one needs to know that there are no individuals or a day with out depression.

The degree differs.

When the these low down feelings persist you become acutely depressed.

What causes Depression?

Sometimes there may be an obvious reason for becoming depressed, sometimes not. There is usually more than one cause and different people have different reasons.

It may seem obvious why – there may be life events or changes in circumstance such as a relationship breakdown, bereavement or even the birth of a child – but sometimes it’s not clear. Either way, it can become so bad that you need help.

Often people don’t realise how depressed they are, because the depression has come on gradually. They may try to struggle on and cope by keeping busy. This can make them even more stressed and exhausted. This can cause physical pains, such as constant headaches, or sleeplessness.”

At the adolescent age,impatience to get things done causes anxiety which might lead to Depression.

The inability to achieve the set goals causes anxiety which  may result in Depression.

At an advanced age,insecurity about future,at the middle age concerns about old age might trigger Depression.

It can also be due to some biological reasons like Thyroid,metabolic imbalance in the system.

• “An underactive or overactive thyroid gland
• • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Viral infections
  • Stroke
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Traumatic brain injury (head injury)
  • Dementia
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions
  • Cushing’s syndrome
  • Chronic painful disease such as osteoarthritis

  Treatments for depression

  “There are two types of treatment available: talking treatments and medication. Both can be accessed through your doctor.”

  Talking treatments

  • Counselling helps you to talk about your feelings in private with a sympathetic professional. Your GP may have a counsellor at the surgery.
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy can help to overcome the powerful negative thoughts that are part of depression.
  • Interpersonal and dynamic therapies can help if you have difficulties getting on with other people. A relationship counsellor might be helpful if you’re having difficulties with your partner.
  • If you have a disability or are caring for a relative, a self-help group may give you support.

  Medication

  Antidepressants can be effective if depression is severe or goes on for a long time. They may help feelings of anxiety and help you to deal with problems effectively again.

  The effects of antidepressants won’t usually be felt straight away – people often don’t notice any improvement in their mood for two or three weeks.

  As well as tablets, an alternative remedy called St John’s wort is available from chemists. There is evidence that it’s effective in mild to moderate depression. It seems to work in much the same way as some antidepressants, but some people find it has fewer side effects. You should discuss taking it with your doctor, particularly if you’re taking other medication.”

  Like all medicines, antidepressants have some side effects, although these are usually mild and tend to wear off as the treatment goes on. The newer antidepressants (called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may cause nausea and anxiety for a short while. The older antidepressants can cause dry mouth and constipation. Unless the side effects are very bad, your doctor will usually advise you to continue taking them.

  Four out of five people with depression will get better without help. The shorter the time you have been depressed, the better the chance that it will lift on its own. However, even with treatment, one in five people will still be depressed two years later.

  Support

  It may be enough to talk things over with a relative or friend. If this doesn’t help, talk it over with your family doctor.

  • Talk to someone close to you about how you feel. Going over a painful experience and crying it out can help you come to terms with it.
  • Get some regular exercise. This will help you keep fit and hopefully, sleep better. Do jobs around the house to take your mind off thoughts that make you depressed.
  • Eat well, even if you don’t feel like it. Don’t drink alcohol, as this makes depression worse, although it might not seem to at first.
  • If you can’t sleep, try not to worry about it. Do something relaxing in bed such as reading, watching TV or listening to the radio.
  • If you know what is making you depressed, write it down and think of ways to tackle it. Pick the best ones and see if they help.
  • Keep hopeful – this is a very common experience and you will come through it, probably stronger and more able to cope than before.”

  One must remember that the treatments are only supports and one can definitely beat depression only by him/herself.
  Antidepressants might help to calm the mind chemically ,but over a period of time these drugs might become habit-forming if they are Barbiturate based.
  Even Alfazolam  may be contra-indicated for some.
  Counseling is effective only if one is ready to receive advice, be it a Counselor or Relatives or friends.
  Normally under the spell of Depression,the mind will refuse.
  Normal advice is to take safe antidepressants under the advice of a qualified Physician .
  Never exceed the dose.
  In general, one must know the facts of Life.
  Life is what it is.
  Do not analyse and judge your or other’s Life.
  Learn to look at Facts ,not impressions.
  We generally carry impressions and hardly look at facts.
  Never attempt to ascribe motives for the behavior of others around you.
  Planning is fine but too much thinking and planing is unhealthy.
  This puts one under pressure because Life has to be run, with interaction with others whether one likes it or not and we can not control what others think of us nor can we control circumstances.
  Plan for a shorter period.
  Remember none knows whether he/she will be alive the next second.
  Do not think you are indispensable, the world has been here before you were born and will  be after you go.
  Never think you are the one who supports Family or you are indispensable at work either.
  Do what you have to do with out reasoning out for Life has to felt and Lived ,not analyzed.
  Those who feel that they can not reach their goals should know that any activity you undertake depends on various factors, some of them under your control,most of them out of your control.
  So do the best you can and not be anxious.
  Results will come.
  It is worth noting that if you achieve whatever you want in a very short span of Time, you will have nothing to live for.
  Life can be led joyously only when we have something unattainable as well.
  Also have Faith.
  Do not question every thing in Life for ultimately you will end up as a mental patient,probably this might take some time.
  It could be any Faith , may also be Atheism.
  Read Books that are light and Books are Optimistic.
  Be with people who are not whiners.
  People around those who suffer from Depression must not judge those who are  as they could become  one the next day.
  Be positive and talk things that are joyous and optimistic and avoid serious pontificating.

Related articles

• Staying With Your Depression Treatment Plan (webmd.com)
• Depression (bupa.com.au)