What is depression?

A condition that affects millions of people around the world, depression is often mistaken for other medical conditions that are not as serious as they are in nature. For many people, feeling temporarily sad or depressed is enough to think of themselves as depressed. However, contrary to popular belief, depression is a serious illness with serious consequences. If left untreated, depression can negatively impact not only people's lives but the lives of those around them as well. Here is an overview of depression that follows the symptoms.

Depression

In medical terms, depression is a feeling of being unwell over a long period of time. Also known as major, clinical or major depressive disorder, it is an illness that causes the sufferer to show a lack of interest and want to stay isolated. While some people may associate depression only with mental pain, it also has an effect on physical health.

7 common symptoms

For people with depression, symptoms can range from feeling constant sadness to the urge to go somewhere quiet. However, experts believe that almost all patients have 7 common symptoms and they are:

1. A constant feeling of sadness

As stated earlier, one of the most common and universal symptoms of depression is a feeling of sadness and emptiness. They feel like no one cares about them, so they feel overly sad and gloomy.

2. Feeling hopeless

Another common symptom associated with depression is feelings of hopelessness.

3. Agitation

Wanting to flee to a secluded place is often what people with depression want to do.

4. Lack of interest

When feeling down, even healthy people can lose interest in doing the things they used to love most. It is not uncommon to see depressed people who show a lack of interest not only in general tasks but also in hobbies.

5. Fatigue

Depression can also tire the patient for no reason. Even without moving a lot, patients may feel that their body has no energy.

6. Modified sleep patterns

Patients may sleep too much or suffer from a lack of sleep.

7. Suicidal thoughts set in

The fact that depressed people feel isolated and unwanted makes them want to kill themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that patients are closely monitored.

3 types of depression

1. Major depressive disorder (major depression)

Major depressive disorder is the most serious form of depression. According to experts, people with this type of depression are unable to continue with their usual routines. Major depressive disorder can affect sleep patterns, eating habits, productivity, and concentration levels. While some people may feel the worst of major depression just once in their life, others may feel it multiple times and the disorder will recur in the future.

2. Dysthymic disorder (dysthymia)

Also known as chronic mild depression, dysthymic disorder is a condition in which patients experience depression for long periods of time, such as one to two years. However, unlike major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder is not that serious and therefore does not limit people's lifestyles.

3. Psychotic depression

When diagnosed with psychotic depression, patients show signs of being completely out of touch with reality. For people with psychotic depression, the world they live in no longer makes sense. With this condition, patients may pose a danger to those around them and therefore may need to be monitored closely.

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