Depression can be considered one of the most common psychological conditions known to man, but unfortunately it’s also a condition that can take a serious toll on one’s life if not managed properly. Sadly, many people with depression have a tendency to keep their troubles to themselves, which can sometimes make it challenging to properly diagnose who needs help. However, before you proceed to seek help for yourself or for others you think have depression, perhaps it’s important to understand what depression is and how it can affect you.

Depression, also called major depressive disorder, is a serious mental health condition that can affect not just how you feel, but also how you act and how you think in extremely negative ways. It causes loss of interest in hobbies, passions, and activities that you may have enjoyed, and can be characterised as a feeling of prolonged sadness. Due to this mixture of feelings and behaviours, it can result to various physical and emotional woes that can hinder you from functioning properly at home, at school, or at work.

Symptoms of depression vary as different people experience feelings of sadness in different ways and spectrums. As such, depressive symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may include things such as:

• Changes in sleeping or appetite habits, such as excessive or less eating and sleeping.
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities or interests and energy, while at the same time experiencing fatigue.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, depression, or sadness.
• Suicidal thoughts and tendencies, as well as thoughts on death.

Just because depression is a serious condition, however, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to treat. Fortunately, depression is treatable, albeit it just needs time, effort and patience.

Similar to other mental health conditions, depression has its own set of risk factors. These are factors that increase the risk of developing a depressive disorder, and it can range from a variety of circumstances and situations. These include:

• Environmental factors, where situations such as poverty, abuse, neglect, or violence can slowly drive a person to a depressive state.
• Personality, where people who are generally pessimistic, easily stressed, or with low self-esteem seem to be prone to develop depression.
• Genetics, where sometimes depression can actually run in the family. For instance, if an identical twin has a depressive disorder, there’s a 70-percent likelihood that the other may develop the condition in their lifetime.
• Biochemistry, where differences in chemicals in the body can contribute to depressive symptoms.

Depression, despite being a common psychological condition, isn’t something to take lightly. While depression should normally be manageable, there really are times when depression strikes and we feel overwhelmed by life’s worries. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals around the world are plagued by depression and the various emotional, physical, and mental strains it brings. If you feel as though depression is taking too much of a toll on your life and your relationship with others, do feel free to approach Act of Living. Our team of professionals are equipped with the training, skills, and experience you may need in order to find ways to manage your depression in ways that would help you reach for a better and brighter life ahead. Call today.