Depression: Signs And Risk Factors
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. These emotions can create an isolated cave of doom inside a person's mind. Occasional depression is typical while dealing with life's ups and downs, and the stresses of everyday life. However, having feelings of depression that last longer than two weeks may settle in for an extended period.
![]()
This illness can devitalize your nervous system and deprive life's gratifications, making it challenging to live everyday life. Risk factors may also present themselves differently according to a person's personality, genetics, and environment.
These risk factors include
- Genetics: Having a family history of depression causes a higher risk.
- Conflicts with friends or family: Dealing with friction and controversy among loved ones can lead to depressive feelings.
- Abuse: Depression can also be linked to past sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
- Loved one's death: Grief and sadness are normal emotions in dealing with loss; however, there are times these feelings develop into depressive behaviors.
- Other illnesses: Autoimmune disorders, other mental diseases, or prescription medication can lead to severe dejection with disheartening side effects and symptoms.
- Hormone changes: Chemical imbalances in the body may host depressive side effects. These can include puberty, postpartum, or even menopause.
Depression symptoms slowly manifest and begin the agonizing segregation of one's self. Guilty of the past, and hopeless of the future caused by sad life-challenging or life-threatening events.
Common symptoms of depression are as follows
- Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness: Continuous negative emotions towards oneself and others.
- Loss of interest: Avoiding everyday life, including joyful and pleasurable activities.
- Change in appetite: This disorder can cause a significant change in dietary behaviors, including weight loss or weight gain.
- Sleep changes: Depression and insomnia or oversleeping can go hand in hand and can have severe long-term distress.
- Anger and irritability: An over-stressed nervous system and adrenal glands can create aggressive and reckless behaviors with people dealing with depressive tendencies.
- Continual loss of energy: Exhaustion is a major component in dealing with this illness, making tasks more challenging to complete.
- Phantom or unexplained aches and pains: Dealing with increased physical ailments including headaches, body aches, and backaches.
Depression and suicide
Depression is a significant risk for suicide and can have permanent effects on a person's life. Feelings of dark despair that can only be released by suicide can be thought of as an escape from the suffering. Always watch for warning signs if someone you know has any signs or symptoms of depression or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
These signs include:
- Suicidal thoughts or feelings.
- An overwhelming feeling of entrapment.
- Reckless behaviors and tendencies.
- Putting affairs in order and saying goodbye to loved ones and friends.
- Negative thinking towards oneself and a permanent belief that things will never get better.
Alternatives to treating depression
- Eat a supportive, healthy diet: Eat a nutrient-dense diet that enhances the nervous system such as leafy greens, calcium, high-quality proteins, and B vitamins. Also flax-seed and other nuts for magnesium.
- Exercise and yoga.
- Meditation and deep breathing.
- Listening to music can efficiently reduce stress levels.
- Make self-affirmations of love and gratitude.
- Create a vision board to help motivate and strive for future ambitions.
- Engage in activities with friends and family while creating new positive memories.
- Socialization or joining a peer support group.
- Getting an adequate amount of Vitamin D: Being outdoors and in nature helps the mind, body, and spirit. Hiking, biking, or running are all positive ways to overrule depression symptoms.
People who feel like they are dealing with any of these signs or symptoms should contact their primary care doctor immediately and seek medical assistance. Calling a suicide helpline can provide instant support and treatment. Early diagnosis is the key to successfully managing depression. If someone you know shows any signs or symptoms of depression or suicide, please speak to them immediately. Acknowledgment and non-judgmental support can save a life. Reaching out and accepting someone who is suffering can help them see the light in a world of darkness, helping to regain control, peace, and happiness.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
