What is depression
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, your way of thinking and your way of functioning. Fortunately, it is also curable. A feeling of sadness is created due to the lack of interest in the activities once enjoyed and/or enjoyed. It can cause a wide variety of emotional and physical problems and can reduce a person’s ability to function at home and work.
Symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe and may include:
- Feeling the sad or depressed mood
- The decline of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite – weight loss or unrelated to dieting
- Lack of sleep or excessive sleep
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increased aimless physical activity (eg, hand tingling or pacing) or slow walking and speech (tasks are seen by others)
- Feel useless or guilty
- Difficulty in decision making, concentration or decision making
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms should last at least two weeks to diagnose depression.
Besides, medical conditions (eg, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiency or a brain tumor) may mimic symptoms of depression, so it is important to rule out common medical causes.
Depression in any given year affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%). And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression can oppose at any time, but, on average, it first appears through the late teens to mid-20s. Females are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies suggest that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode during their lifetime.