How to Prevent and Treat Depression

Depression is a serious disease that leaves a person with a great sense of sadness or hopelessness. It affects 1 in 3 people at some point in life.
Depression affects the way we feel about ourselves. It also affects our bodies, thoughts and moods. It has a general character and it is difficult to deal with. It’s a condition that affects people’s social and emotional lives; that’s why it is important for patients to know that they are not alone. Friend and family can be extremely helpful in treating depression.

There are two main types of depression:

• Dysthymia: this is a less debilitating form of depression. It is compatible with normal life processes and events. Symptoms may be of long term, and the sufferers may have major bouts of depression during their lifetime.

• Bipolar Disorder or Manic-Depressive: it is characterized by frequent mood changes with extreme ups and downs.

Causes of Depression

There is usually a combination of causes that result in depression. The severity of depression often depends on the factors behind it.

The common causes of depression include:

• The history of the family: the genetic factor; the existence of previous depression cases;
• Trauma and stress: separation or death of a loved one, stressful work or home environment;
• Pessimistic personality: low self-esteem, negative outlook on life;
• Poor health: heart disease, cancer and HIV for example;
• Medications: some medications used to treat other medical conditions also contribute to depression;
• Other psychological disorders: anxiety, imbalanced drinking and eating habits, schizophrenia.

Symptoms of depression

Knowing the symptoms of depression helps us to diagnose this disease during its earliest stages. Here are some guidelines regarding the symptoms brought by depression:

• Ongoing feelings of hopelessness, sadness and anxiety (in the context of discouragement when nothing seems to matter);
• Excessive feelings of guilt;
• Tiredness and without energy;
• The mind refuses to concentrate. The patient begins to forget things; the decision making process will be negatively affected;
• Changes in appetite;
• Changes in sleeping patterns;
• Digestive problems;
• Loss of sex drive;
• Agitation and physical slowing.

Consequences of depression

Depression is a condition that determines severe consequences in the daily lives of the sufferers. Among the consequences of depression, the most important ones are:

• Losing the ability to focus on specific tasks;
• Job loss;
• Marital problems like divorce;
• Relationship breakup;
• Isolation;
• Loss of the ability to communicate with others;
• Losing friends;
• Suicide attempts (for severe cases of depression);
• Frustration;
• Inability to engage in social activities.

One can say that a patient affected by depression loses his life. If a person doesn’t learn how to fight depression, he will end up destroying himself.

Associated disorders

Depression can be treated as a pathologic psychological state. Thus, it is often related with other disorders (both physical and mental), such as:

• Diseases that involve high levels of physical pain;
• Deadly diseases, such as cancer or AIDS (due to the fact that the patient feels like he is close to dying);
• Anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders;
• Obesity, especially the advanced (morbid) stages.

Knowing about these disorders helps people deal with depression more effectively. When treating depression, it’s best to treat its associated disorders too.

Depression prevention

In order to prevent depression, you have to be aware of what’s going on with you. You might come across some problematic situations. If this is the case, then you should do your best to solve them:

• If you feel lonely, get company or support;
• If you are stressed at home or work, find ways to release the pressure;
• If your level of self esteem is low, do things to make you feel good about yourself;
• If you lack social support, seek help;
• If you have financial problems, seek financial advice;
• If you suffer from alcohol or drug addiction, stop drinking and taking drugs;
• If you experience health problems or chronic pain , get medical treatment;
• If you are going through marital or relationship problems, acknowledge the problem and seek help.

Generally speaking, a balanced life is the key for depression prevention. The mental state is clearly the most important thing. Thus, it is very important for everyone to know how to live a psychologically healthy life.

How to treat depression

A cure for depression is possible when all its causes are addressed and removed. For example, seek help and get medical treatment for each of these problems:

• Brain damage/malfunction;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• Stomach/digestive problems;
• Liver damage;
• Chronic pains;
• Poor fitness level or general health;
• Sexual dysfunction.

It is also very important to take note of your symptoms. If you can cross out some of the symptoms from your list, you’ll know that you are improving. For example, you will know that you are definitely improving if you are:

• Not feeling as lonely as you used to;
• Spending more quality time with friends and family;
• Sleeping better;
• Enjoying sex more;
• Performing better at work.

There are several types of depression treatments available to the sufferers:

• Nutrition: you can start taking iron supplements in order to improve your appetite. You can also take vitamins to help improve your general state of health;
• Physical exercise: this is a way to produce endorphins. These lead to a euphoric state. They cleanse the body and make us feel more energetic. Endorphins also help us losing weight and encourage a healthy appetite.
• Anti-depressant medications;
• Cognitive therapy: encourages positive thinking.
• Natural remedies: aiming at solving sleep troubles or diminishing stress, for example.

Whatever treatment option is recommended by the doctor, psychological support from friends and family is also very important.