Many people today suffer from depression which is a complex medical condition. It appears to be triggered by a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological and biological factors. The causes of depression may be complex, but much research is available about how best to manage and treat it. Here are some facts about its symptoms and management that may surprise you.
1. Depression can have many triggers
The causes of depression aren’t fully understood, and many believe it is the result of a combination of factors. People may have a higher risk of depression if they have had it before, if a family member suffers from it or if they have recently been through a traumatic life event.
Some people have a genetic predisposition for depression, but this is not always the only factor that causes it. The more severe the depression, the more likely it becomes that there is a genetic link. Sometimes depression develops without any apparent cause. It can exist without a trigger or external stressor. The brain chemicals responsible for mood may be out of balance.
This can make you feel depressed even when everything in your life is going well. If you’re looking for help for depression, Zencare.co can help you to find a therapist. You can look at many different profiles, find a therapist who specializes in depression and arrange a free call to find out if the person is the right fit for you.
2. Depression affects your body
Depression affects your body as well as your mind. It can cause headaches, stomachaches, and general aches and pains. Research indicates there could be a strong connection between depression and a gut imbalance.
More research is necessary, but there is evidence that a healthy diet, including probiotics, could play a role in the treatment of depression. People with depression are at higher risk of health problems like autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. These conditions include diabetes, arthritis, irritable bowel and heart disease.
3. Depression and anxiety often coexist
Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. Many people have a diagnosis of both depression and anxiety. Anxiety may be a symptom of clinical depression. Depression may be triggered by an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
Anxiety can be just as debilitating as depression, but you may not even realize you have it because you have lived with it for so long. The symptoms of both conditions usually improve with counseling, medication and lifestyle changes.
4. Women are more likely to suffer from depression
Hormones are part of the reason why women suffer more from depression than men. The hormonal shifts before, during and after pregnancy can increase their risks of depression.
The combined stress of trying to work and raise a family could also play a role. Another reason that could affect the numbers is that women are more likely to talk to someone about their depression and try to seek help, whereas men are more reluctant to do so.
5. Therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of depression
Simply talking through depression with a mental health expert and making some lifestyle changes can help many people. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one treatment method that’s proven to have good results. For mild to moderate depression, therapy is often the best option.
People with more severe depression often respond well to a combination of therapy and antidepressants. They may need to try more than one antidepressant to find one that works for them. Many studies show that therapy and medication work better than medication alone.
