is depression a solution

We always post pictures and feel sad when someone has gone but never care when those are alive. The people who commit suicide must know that by ending your life you didn’t end your pain. You just passed it on to your loved ones.

What is Depression?

In case you have no more interest or pleasure in your hobbies or being with friends and family. If you feel anxious, negative, and lost nearly every day. If you having trouble sleeping, eating, and functioning? If this feeling continues for more than 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression, a dangerous but treatable mood disorder.

Why we get depressed?

Depression is a condition that makes you feel sad all the time and you lose interest in the things you loved. However, this is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life.

Doctors solely study feelings of grief to be part of depression if they persist. These can be any major events in your life. Most cases of depression revolve around career & relationships. Depression can continue from 2 weeks to several weeks, months, or even years.

What are the causes of depression?

No one really knows why depression happens biologically. But one thing on which everyone agrees is that depression happens when you continuously grief about anything. It mainly occurs in combination with any shocking life event and past experiences.

Study hints that challenges like long term lay-off, long-term loneliness, living in an insulting relationship, continued work stress are primary causes of depression. In addition, recent events such as losing a job or a combination of events can ‘trigger’ distress if you’re already at risk because of previous inferior experiences.

There can be many personal factors as well which can lead to depression viz

  • Drug and alcohol use 
  • Serious medical illness like bipolar disorder
  • Genetic Features 
  • Psychological and Social factors
  • Environmental factors
  • Changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels
  • Family History

Is depression genetic?

A person with a parent or sibling who has depression is two-to-three times more likely than the general public to develop the condition. However, many people with depression have no family history of it. Researchers acknowledge that while depression could be inherited, many other issues also influence its development.

Is depression a disability?

Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, according to the WHO. In countries like the U.S. depression is considered to be a disability, if a person’s depression prevents them from working, they may qualify for social security disability insurance benefits. However, in many countries including India, we do consider mental retardation, and mental illness as a disability but depression doesn’t come under that.

How to identify depression in teens & adults?

The symptoms of depression in teens and adults can include:

  • a sad mood
  • decreased interest or delight in actions once enjoyed
  • having difficulty keeping up with work and family responsibilities
  • a loss of sexual desire
  • changes in hunger
  • working without a break
  • erratic weight loss or gain
  • napping too much or too little
  • anxiety, uneasiness, and pacing up and down
  • hampered movement and articulation
  • lethargy or loss of energy
  • displaying abusive or controlling behavior in relationships
  • feelings of uselessness or guilt
  • dodging families and social situations
  • trouble thinking, analyzing, or making judgments
  • restlessness, such as an inability to sit still
  • repeated feelings of death or suicide, or an attempt at suicide
  • difficulty concentrating on schoolwork

How to identify depression in children?

The symptoms of depression in children can include:

  • continuously crying
  • low energy over a long period
  • clinginess
  • rebellious behavior for every action
  • vocal eruptions

How to deal with depression?

Depression is not easy to deal with. A person who is going through it can only understand the pain. Depression if not treated properly most people end up ending their lives. People when at later stage are not even aware what they are doing or about to do. It is best to take your thoughts seriously and treat the symptoms as early as possible.

Following are some ways using which you can cope with Depression and even get rid of it

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Keeping check on negative thoughts

The first step to recover from Depression is to know what negative thoughts you are getting. When in depression all kinds of negative thoughts can come to your brain, thus it is important to challenge them. Keep below thoughts under check if you are getting them-

  • I am weak
  • I should be able to do more to achieve this and that
  • I don’t think I am worth anymore
  • I am a burden on others
  • I either figure out this or I will end my life

Set smaller goals in life

When in depression the simplest tasks can look mountain, so divide things into smaller tasks. For example, instead of getting stuck thinking ‘how am I going to get to work every day this week’, think about getting to work today, then break it down even further.

  •     Get out of bed.
  •     Have a shower and shave.
  •     Get dressed.
  •     Eat breakfast.
  •     Head to work.

Do not think too much of the future and plan for it. Live every moment and take a challenge as it comes. Do not think of things too much, it’s all in your brain nowhere else.

Recognize your efforts & yourself

Most of the time we as humans seek attention and recognition for our good work. Whether or not someone else has appreciated your good work, you should and must appreciate yourself. Tap your shoulder every time you did well. Treat yourself and your loved ones. Be proud of any steps and progress you make, even if it took longer than you hoped.

Keep doing daily activities and focus on basics

Stick to basics and do your daily activities Sleep, Eat, Work & Be Physically active. Take a short walk, do household activities, meditate, watch movies, enjoy standup comedy, go out for eating with friends and family, read books do what you like. Just don’t keep thinking. Again it’s just in your brain and it’s not reality.

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Meditation

Meditation assists improve your response to negative thinking. Sure, meditation alone won’t make your symptoms disappear, but it can make them more manageable. Meditation teaches you to pay attention to thoughts and feelings without passing opinion or criticizing yourself.

Limit your Alcohol and other substance intake

When in depression taking alcohol or other substances may feel good. It may make you feel that by taking them you forget every sadness. It may make you feel happy and numb yourself from the pain of depression. But it isn’t a healthy way and will one day turn into much bigger problem. Moreover, once you are out from the effect of these things you will go deeper into the pain of depression.

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The steps above will help you cope with depression in early stages but if your problem is bigger and you are unable to follow above steps best is to follow below two steps-

Medication & Treatment

Although medication is individualized, some regular treatments are recommended:

  • Referred Medication
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Process-oriented talk therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Hospitalization if necessary
  • Residential treatment if necessary
  • Alternative treatments (nutrition plans, exercise plans, meditation or mindfulness strategies)

Finding a right therapist

The medication and therapy only work if you have confidence in your therapist. It plays an important role in establishing a connection. To find the best therapist for you, it is suggested that you talk to more than one therapist. Ask these questions to your potential therapist

  • What are your credentials?
  • What is your treatment program?
  • How will you help me win depression?
  • How long do you expect treatment to last?
  • What happens if I don’t start feeling healthier in the typical timeframe?
  • Are there things I can do on my own to enhance my treatment result in addition to therapy?
  • How many sittings a month do you typically provide for someone with depression?
  • What if I can no longer bear the cost of therapy?
  • Do you accept my insurance?

Conclusion

Depression is something very dangerous if not treated on time it may lead to suicide attempts or suicide of a person. It’s painful and ruins the life of the sufferer. But we must remember that it’s treatable and can be cured with little attention, love, and positive thinking. Suicide may feel easy but it will give lifetime pain to your loved ones.

If you ever feel your life is useless and you must end it. Devote it to the service of deprived and humanity. You will find a meaning to it.