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News by Sara Health Estimates
Fact: According to WHO, more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is also the world’s leading cause of disability.
A 2014 survey found out that 6.6 percent of American adult or 15.7 million suffered from a major depressive episode within the last 12 months. What this means is that there is a high chance that you have been clinically depressed this year. Not just you, but your friends and loved ones too. But do you really notice when someone is depressed? Are you depressed?
Depression is one of the most recognized psychological disorders. Because depression is so prevalent and affect people in different ways, in varying degrees and with different symptoms, there are many misconceptions about depression. People can say they are depressed when they are just sad. A sloth can claim to be depressed because he’s too lazy to leave his bed.
Symptoms of depression
- Lack of interest in things
- Overwhelming sadness
- Low energy
- Suicidal tendencies
- Health complications like stomache ache, headache etc
Misconceptions about depression
Nobody chooses to be depressed. Sometimes people are depressed because of some stuff going on in their life like the death of a loved one or losing a job, but with clinical depression, there doesn’t have to be a reason for depression. The chemicals in the brain that are responsible for mood control may be out of balance, causing you to feel bad.
Depression is more than sadness. It is more persistent, lasts longer and often breeds suicidal tendencies and thoughts.
Depression doesn’t mean looking a certain way. So you can’t tell someone, ‘you look depressed’. Most people are great at masking how they feel.
Depression doesn’t make you weak. You should get treatment for it.
Often times when people are depressed, others downplay their feelings by saying ‘go out more’, ‘do things’, ‘it will pass’, ‘snap out of it!’. Having more empathy and being more understanding will help ease the strain on them.
Let’s not forget, children are not left out. 1 out of every 33 children gets depressed.
Some other facts about depression
- – Do you know depression can cause hallucinations? A severe type of depression can cause you to hear or believe things that are not real. Amazingly about 20% of people with major depression have this. This type is usually treated with shock.
- – Women are 70% more likely to experience depression than men. Their ever-changing hormones play a major role here.
- – During the middle ages, mentally ill people were seen to be under the influence of the devil or other evil spirit.
- – It is also believed that magnets can relieve depression. The name for this treatment is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is for people who don’t respond to anti-depressants.
The good news is about depression is that it is treatable. Get the help you need.
We at Health Estimates Chicago care about your health. Your mental health is important.