The term mental illness pertains to the ‘‘illness of brain’’ and it is one of the leading causes to the disruption in an individual’s thinking pattern. So, as an aftermath to that, the person suffering from any sort of such issues, ends up lacking any physical energy to carry out ordinary tasks in his life. Moreover, in one of the research studies by Jean Holthaus, a renowned social worker from University of LOWA and a clinic manager at Pine Rest Pella Clinic, each year 46% of teenagers, 13% of children and 19% of adults tend to encounter disrupted psychological well-being.
Various researches are being conducted to find out other linked causes to mental illnesses and they have unfolded certain other factors which comprise brain structure, genetics, brain chemistry, past traumatic experiences and other different medical conditions such as heart disease. There are at least 450 million people around the globe who tend to tackle various mental illnesses on daily basis and on the other hand among those people only two third of them are able get their illness diagnose and later they seek treatment of that specific disorder.
Two eminent categories of mental illness:
There exist two subcategories of disorders related to mental illnesses and they are:
Studies revealed that more than 18’% of adults with deteriorated mental condition deal with this prominent disorder which is anxiety. With other subcategories including
At least 10% of adults’ encounter mood disorders, among which depression and bipolar depression includes.
Out of all these existing problems related to our emotional health. Depression is one of the prominent disorders. Before getting into details the first and foremost aspect is the explicit description of the aspect.
Depression is further categorized and its types are:
A person suffering from this category of depression tends to lose interest in every activity of their life. Their mind is clouded with the state of loneliness. In USA, every year at least 16.2 Million adults suffer from this specific disorder.
It’s named as dysthymia as well. The symptoms of this category of depression begin to continue for 2 whole years. So for the span of 2 years the patient feels state of sadness and hopelessness until the time it’s diagnosed. Apart from experiencing such feelings, every year round about 1.5% of adults in USA, are likely to feel the state of low energy.
In this type of depression, that individual suffers from the symptoms of depression around half of the time. Bipolar disorder can hardly be differentiated from depression. But one prominent trait of this category is followed by episodes of energetic and so much optimistic mental state, which, on later is reverted to extreme sadness. And this cycle continues.
It exists in both men and women. And the study revealed that in America, 83% of cases regarding to bipolar disorder are extremely critical.
People going through this kind of mental illness, fall into unrealistic detachments, hallucinations and they build such sort of thinking pattern which is far from reality. So, people tend to go through psychosis with depression.
This category of depression is also named as “Baby blues” which so many women encounter after giving birth. A ball park figure for the existence of this depression in women is 80%
The main reason behind this depression is, lack of sleep, disturbed hormonal levels and overly stressed state of mind, regarding to taking care of newly born.
The person already dealing with major depressive disorder tends to expose to this specific category of wrecked emotional state where he is likely to encounter episodes of depression according to seasonal changes. Most often it happens in autumn season where it lasts till winter and 5% of people, every year in USA encounters this depression.
Basically there’s no defined cause of depression. It’s just brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances and at times it is inherited. So these are the prominent causes which are being found out. Moreover, some risk factors or catalysts for depression can be:
These are very few underlying causes or risk factors which lead to depression. However, they vary in every age group and in the same way risk factors or causes can be different, depending on the age of a patient.
Other than falling into the state of continuous sadness and loneliness. There are numerous other conditions which are considered the symptoms of depression. And they may vary from an individual to another one. So the most repeated symptoms which are reported, includes:
These are some of the prevalent symptoms which are being reported or recorded. Every human being respond differently towards their state of depression.
Dealing with depression can be so consuming and the person going through it, yearns for the end of this specific state but due to existing taboos in our society regarding to mental health and its treatment. It is still overlooked, despite, being one of the prevalent issues where every age group of people in every country tends to fall into depression. So, yes, treatment or cure for this disease is supposed to be given to a patient in the very same way any person with physical disability or any disease is being given.
Different strategies or treatments to tackle with an issue can be:
Depending upon the intensity of a patient’s mental state, when a psychiatrist is being consulted, then he is being prescribed medicines which includes
and all the medications which are being prescribed by a psychiatrist, they have their own benefits and side effects as well.
Therapy is one of the Important and helpful tool which can be very beneficial. Because consulting to a therapist can help a patient to open up about their thoughts and by their counseling they can cope up with negative energy and thinking pattern.
This specific therapy is used to cope up with seasonal depression, where a patient is exposed to white light which can help to regulate their mood if it’s effected due to season or weather conditions.
Apart from therapy, meditation is one of the beneficial routes, which can help a lot in relieving depression.
Different supplements such as fish oil, St. John’s wort and SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) can be helpful to treat depression
Planning a proper workout routine and even a15 minutes’ walk can be a source of freshness to your mind.
A lot of renowned social workers, therapists, psychologists or professionals working for the awareness and relieve of people with challenged mental health. They are playing their key role by conducting workshops and seminars for the people who suffer from issues related to mental health. So If you ever feel like you are depressed or sad never hesitate to reach out to such professionals, neither miss any opportunity of such seminars.
These are some of the very few treatments or cure to depression. By consulting a professional psychologist or a therapist many other cures can be unfolded to you as well. Just keep one thing in your mind, that no matter how bad things turn out to be, but not any problem you are going through is that worse where no one can understand it. So, give therapy a try. And rely on close friends and family. Because they are the people who are your loved ones and your presence matters a lot in their life.
Always reach out. Stay happy and healthy and open up. You matter and your life is precious so treasure it.
Related Article: Sadness Is not Depression
by: Araba Muzaffar
Tags: Causes & Types of depression, mental illness
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