Depression, one of the leading reasons for work absence in the United
States of America, is a sickness that one out of five people experiences
during their lifetime. It is a critical medical illness -- a disorder
that affects one's whole wellbeing whether physical, mental or
emotional. It is commonly described as sadness, the blues, psychological
suffering, or down in the dumps.
Depression is more popular in
women than men and is particularly prevalent among adolescents. It
affects individuals of all races and age groups, but it is three to five
times more common among the elderly.
Depression is the main
cause of alcoholism, substance abuse and other dependencies. It may also
be a symptom of other diseases such as hypothyroidism or anemia.
Symptoms of DepressionDepression
is a real malady and exacts a high cost in terms of broken
relationships, social isolation, and decreased work productivity. It
impacts not only the person suffering from it but those close to them,
especially their family, relatives and close friends. Untreated
depression may lead to suicide. Most people do not recognize the
symptoms of depression or tend to ignore them. Symptoms of depression
could include wakefulness, unhappiness, trouble concentrating,
anxiousness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in usual hobbies and
activities, and mood swings. The most frequent type is reactive
depression, which is a depression that is induced by a painful or
stressful event.
Treatment of DepressionEighty percent of the cases of depression
are successfully treated, a rate that could be improved to a great
extent if the proper medical and social care were to be provided. If you
believe you are suffering from depression, please go and visit a
professional health practitioner immediately for professional help.
There
are many available options of treatment including natural medicine
therapies and short-term psychotherapy which have been proven as
effective. The use of alternative and complementary medicine to manage
depression is becoming more popular. They assist in alleviating the
symptoms of depression, especially in cases of mild to moderate
depression. Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are excellent alternatives
for mild depression and are highly effective. Psychotherapy provides
people the opportunity to understand the factors that lead to their
depression and to cope effectively with the mental, behavioral, social,
and situational triggers. Hypnotherapy provides people the opportunity
to overcome any stressful life situations that lead to their depression.
St.
John's wort is one of the most beneficial natural and herbal remedies
for depression. It is more potent than a placebo and is as good as
antidepressant drugs for mild and moderate depression.
Persistent
negative thoughts and emotions will only cause your depression to
worsen. Try to focus on the simple things in life that give you
happiness and lift up your spirit. Accept whatever life offers you,
maintain your good spirits, and be optimistic.
Prior to taking any natural treatments, you must seek the advice of your physician or other professional health practitioners.
Sources:
1- National Institute of Mental Health (
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication....).
2- MedlinePlus: Depression (
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depression.html).
3- The International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression
Dr Tamer Shaban
