Understanding Depression and How to Overcome
Today’s society often overlooks mental health, the main component of everyday life. Being mentally healthy is often taken for granted. There are many mental illnesses affecting millions of people, and depression is a major type. Depression acts as a prison, holding one’s mind hostage with its chains. Although depression has various causes and harmful effects, many effective coping mechanisms exist.
Depression stems from many causes. First, genetics and hereditary factors often play a role in the causes of depression. People with immediate family members suffering from major depression are three times more likely to have the disorder themselves. Also, major life changes can cause depression, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or a miscarriage. Chronic medical problems or loss of a job can also result in a form of depression.
In the article “Causes of Major Depression,” Stubbeman states that “Childhood trauma can cause an individual to be depressed for a prolonged period of time. Examples of such traumas are severe illness; isolation; physical, sexual, or mental abuse; witnessing a traumatic event; and neglect. The exact causes of depression remain uncertain, but the effects are clear.”
The effects of depression range from mild to severe.
For example, many physical symptoms accompany depression. Headaches, back pain, and muscle aches are all fairly common. Chest pain and digestive problems can also occur. Other physical symptoms of depression include exhaustion, fatigue, and sleeping difficulties. Furthermore, depression affects people mentally and emotionally. Persistent, sad or anxious feelings of hopelessness exist as part of depression. Pessimism and irritability remain common.
Those affected by depression lose interest in activities they once found enjoyable. Thoughts of death and/or suicide plague them. However, not all people with depression have every symptom. In “Depression: A Family Matter”, Hana Marano writes that “Depression is not just a medical matter. It’s a family one, too.” The behaviors and mood of a depressed person affect the whole family. Constant irritability causes conflicts and derails family dynamics. Negative thought patterns become a prism of pessimism for everyone. This withdrawal literally disrupts relationships and breeds wholesale feelings of rejection. These damaging effects can have lasting impacts on a person’s life.
Fortunately, there are numerous coping mechanisms available for those affected by depression.
First, learning about depression and its condition can be motivating and empowering. Also, paying attention to trigger symptoms helps. Avoid recreational drugs and alcohol, as they will generally worsen symptoms. Lastly, taking care of one’s physical and mental well-being by eating healthy, staying physically active, and getting plenty of sleep. By following numerous guidelines and suggestions, those harmed by depression can eventually overcome it. Additionally, if affected with depression, one can use medication to relieve the symptoms.
Numerous types of medicine and antidepressants exist that can be prescribed by a psychiatrist or primary care doctor. Patients may need to try several different types or combinations of medications in order to find one that is effective. In the article “Depression”, Belinda Rowland affirms that “Patient education in the form of therapy or self-help groups is crucial for training patients with depressive disorders to recognize early symptoms of depression and to take an active part in their treatment program.”
For those afflicted with depression, therapy and other similar coping mechanisms are highly beneficial.
Although depression can have detrimental effects, using coping mechanisms assists with the return to stable mental health. Because of depression’s recurrent nature, various solutions exist that have the ability to repair one’s mind, body, and family. Eventually, with effective treatment, one can break free from the chains of depression.
