Though most millennials and lay people are wont to using the D word thing like\u00a0 loose change, as a life coach, I can tell you confidently \u2013 Depression is much more debilitating, incapacitating and wasting than they can possibly think of. For those who aren\u2019t really clued in to it, a bad exam performance, a tiff with a partner or a professor or friend\u2019s remark may be enough to trigger the D thing. But in sharp contrast, for people rendering professional help, it is a much more pregnant, serious, long and persistent phenomenon. So much so that it translates into great personal, social and economic losses leading to absenteeism, poor productivity, poor life quality, sour relationships, separations, divorces and suicides. A NIMHANS, Bengaluru (the apex mental health institution) survey shows that depression is a major trigger in case of a majority of suicides happening in India. And more tragically, a good enough number of such suicides are committed by young people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The above illustrates a gross distortion of the real implications of a severely limiting mental disorder. It’s obvious that most of us are oblivious to the great price we are paying as a society for ignoring its grave consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n Depression or major depressive disorder is a common but serious medical illness which has a negative effect on your feelings, thoughts and actions. In a very general form, depression causes persistent sadness and\/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can create a variety of emotional and physical problems and can reduce your ability to function effectively at home and at the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n The feelings of being disappointed, dejected or sad over events are quite common in day-to-day life, which lift on their own and don\u2019t require any medication or other medical help. But depression is much beyond that i.e. a state of persistent low mood, sadness lasting more than 14 days.<\/span><\/p>\n Depression Vs. Sadness and Grief<\/b><\/p>\n Distinguishing between grief and depression is important to help people get the relevant help, support and treatment. A loved one\u2019s death, a job loss or the end of a relationship are difficult experiences and the feelings of sadness or grief are a natural, normal response to such situations. Of course, those experiencing loss may describe themselves as \u201cdepressed\u201d, but as noted earlier, sadness is not the same thing as depression. The grieving process is unique to each one and has some features common with depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from normal activities but they differ in important ways:<\/span><\/p>\n Depression can have varying symptoms ranging from mild to severe:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Some medical conditions like thyroid problems, brain tumor or vitamin deficiency can have symptoms similar to those of depression. So, before arriving at a proper diagnosis, it\u2019s important to rule out other general medical causes, which may be causing these symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n Depression is quite egalitarian as it can affect anyone, even someone living in relatively ideal circumstances. Several factors can play a role in causing depression:<\/span><\/p>\n Genes<\/b>: Depression runs in families. If one identical twin has depression, the other one has a 70 percent chance of having it sometime in life. There is a high degree of heritability (approximately 40%) in a case where first-degree relatives (parents\/children\/siblings) suffer from depression.<\/span><\/p>\n Personality<\/b>: People suffering from low self-esteem, who are easily bogged by stress, or those who are pessimistic are more likely to develop depression.<\/span><\/p>\n Biochemistry<\/b>:\u00a0 Distortions in brain chemistry (esp. dopamine mechanism) may contribute to depression.<\/span><\/p>\n Environmental factors:<\/b> Sustained violence, neglect, abuse or poverty can make us more vulnerable to developing depression.<\/span><\/p>\n As a life coach<\/a><\/strong>, I understand well that dealing with depression can be difficult as it drains one\u2019s energy, hope and drive, thus making it hard to take remedial steps to feel better. There are some apparent triggers but they are difficult to point out. Though there is no quick fix there yet, there are ways to help you come out of the emotional morass and rumination that accompany it, which make it harder to make behavioral changes necessary to prevent a relapse. For example, just thinking of the things you need to do to feel better – exercising or chatting with friends – appears impossible to implement.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, it doesn\u2019t have to be taken lightly at all. If you have such symptoms, do make it a point to visit a trained psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. But the medications also work best in tandem with changes in your thought processes, exercising, improved dietary habits etc.<\/span><\/p>\n Luckily, there are enough glimmers to cut through this unrelenting darkness:<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b>Identifying the Signs of Depression<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Causes of Depression<\/b><\/h2>\n
A life coach on how to deal with depression \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/b><\/h2>\n
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Feel Good<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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