12 Surprising Facts About Depression

Depression is a common mental health problem that can change a person's thinking, feelings, and actions. Because of common beliefs and biases, many people have the wrong idea about depression. Some of the most common myths about depression are wrong, but there are also some shocking facts. Not everyone knows, for example, that women are more likely to get depressed and that depression can cause other illnesses.

Read on if you want to know 12 important facts about depression.

Depression is more common among women

Women are 70% more likely to be depressed than men, according to statistics. Hormones might play a part. The hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and childbirth make it more likely for a woman to become depressed, both while she is pregnant and after she gives birth. It's also possible that stress from work and family life plays a role. One big difference between men and women is that women are likelier to tell their doctors when sick.

Your genes affect you

Experts say that almost half of all cases of depression are caused by genes. It's unlikely that a single gene is to blame for this. It's more likely that a group of genes are to blame. Still, your risk increases by two or three if a parent or sibling also has depression. The severity of depressive symptoms makes it more likely that there is a genetic factor. Acute stress, the death of a parent at a young age, and being abused as a child are also possible causes. Still, it's difficult to see where the problem comes from.

Depression affects daily living

People who are depressed may feel sad and lose interest in what they used to enjoy.

It can lead to health problems and make the person feel even more alone. It can also hurt their performance in their daily routine

Depression isn't laziness or weakness

Some signs of depression are not wanting to get out of bed, go to regular events, or even do things you used to enjoy.

This might make it seem like they aren't trying very hard. How others see a depressed person affects how likely they are to get help and get better. For example, if people think you are slow or weak, it might be harder for you to get help.

People who are often seen as "strong" or who don't seem to have any reason to be sad can still feel depressed.

You may not respond to the initial therapy

Even after the first round of treatment, people with serious depression don't get better in as many as half of the cases. Treatment-resistant depression is a recognized medical diagnosis. This is the name for depression that doesn't get better with treatment and lasts more than six weeks. Experts think that many genetic factors are involved in depression that doesn't respond to treatment. Often, the problem can be fixed by adding or changing medicine.

Many factors cause depression

Recent stressful life events, past bouts of depression, and a history of depression in the person's immediate family all make it more likely that a person will get depressed. There is a possibility that there is no reason for depression to start.

Depression causes other illnesses

People with depression are more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. No one knows for sure if depression causes inflammation or not.

Medication and talk therapy are effective

Talking to a therapist about their depression helps many people feel better. For people, it works similarly to antidepressants. People with mild to moderate depression might do best with talk therapy. Several scientific studies have shown that taking antidepressants with psychotherapy is better than taking antidepressants alone.

Depression causes hallucinations

Extreme sadness can cause people to have hallucinations and wrong ideas. Psychotic depression is the name for this type of mental illness. People with psychotic depression might, for example, start to hear voices or worry that something is planning to hurt them.

People who have had a family member with a mental illness are more likely to have psychotic depression themselves. In the short term, shock therapies work better than antidepressants, so doctors often use them to treat this severe depression.

Magnets may help with depression

Magnetic pulses are one of the newer ways to treat depression. The pulses are sent through a coil that is placed against the head. Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation is the name of this treatment. No painkiller is needed.

A session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. Your doctor may suggest twenty or more treatments over four to six weeks. Those who haven't gotten better from taking antidepressants may find this therapy helpful.

Kids can have depression

One out of every thirty kids has clinical depression. One sign of this condition is pulling away from other people. Children who are depressed may also start to do worse in school. They often become more irritable and start to have other health problems.

Most grown-ups think that the problem is caused by something else. This is why 67% of kids with mental health problems never get help. Still, treating depression in kids works just as well as treating it in adults.

Being Happy Reduces Depression

Spending time with the people you love might assist in alleviating depression. Your mind might benefit by focusing on enjoyable things, such as a hobby or something that makes you happy. Therapy of this sort is known as cognitive behavioral therapy.

This approach, which centers on altering a person's ideas and behaviors, might enhance mental health. The use of activities designed to stimulate the brain and cure mental disorders forms a significant portion of this treatment.

Conclusion

Despite being one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, there are many myths regarding depression. If people are aware of the many origins and symptoms of the condition, they will be better able to see the warning signs in themselves and their loved ones. We hope the information above may improve your understanding of depression.