What is Depression? What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Depression is a psychological health issue that causes individuals to experience persistent feelings of sadness and unhappiness. Individuals struggling with depression may exhibit changes in their eating, thinking, sleeping, and behavior patterns. Depression is treatable, but accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment because there are many different types of depression. The most commonly observed symptoms include a constant and excessive state of sadness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping, and concentration problems.

What is Depression?

Depression is among the mental health issues that significantly and commonly affect public health. It can be defined as a condition in which individuals are unable to carry out their daily activities for at least two weeks, accompanied by ongoing feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, and despair. Additionally, individuals experiencing depressive mood disorders may have lost interest in activities they normally enjoy. This mood disorder can happen to anyone and is treatable. Depression can be regarded as a disease; it is incorrect to consider it merely a symptom or a character flaw. According to World Health Organization data, approximately 3.8% of the population, including 5% of adults (4% of men and 6% of women) and 5.7% of adults over 60, is struggling with depression. Depression occurs 50% more frequently in women than in men.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

During a depressive episode, individuals often find themselves in a mood characterized by sadness, irritability, and a sense of emptiness. Depressive episodes differ from normal mood fluctuations. Symptoms of depression persist for at least two weeks, occurring almost every day for a significant part of the day. While depression may manifest only once in a person's life, it can often reappear multiple times. The symptoms of depression can be summarized as follows:

• Feelings of sadness, crying spells, feelings of emptiness, and hopelessness
• Overreactions to minor events, outbursts of anger, irritability, and frustration
• Loss of interest in most or all daily activities, such as hobbies and sports
• Sleep disturbances, difficulties falling asleep, and excessive sleeping
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• The thought of putting in extra effort for small tasks
• Changes in appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation, and restlessness
• Difficulties in thinking, making decisions, concentrating, and remembering things
• Frequent and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide attempts
• Unexplained physical problems such as back pain and headaches
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Persistent feelings of loneliness
• Various digestive issues
• Increased purposeless physical activities, such as restlessness, pacing, and fidgeting, or slowed movements and speech
• Feeling disconnected from society, inability to fulfill work and family responsibilities
• Problems related to sexual desire and performance
• Decreased school performance and grades in children, a desire to skip school
• Memory difficulties and personality changes, especially in the elderly.

What Causes Depression?

The exact factors that lead to depression are not fully understood. While it can occur in any age group, it is particularly more common among young people aged 20-30. Depression may arise from a complex interaction of mental, psychological, social, and biological factors. Adverse life conditions, such as unemployment, grief, and traumatic events, can lead to depression. Additionally, physical inactivity is also among the causes. The causes of depression can be listed as follows:

• Biological differences and physical changes occurring in individuals' brains
• Changes in the functioning and effects of natural neurotransmitters that play a role in brain chemistry
• Hormonal changes that arise in women due to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, menopause, and thyroid problems
• A family history of depression, genetic predisposition
• Personality traits such as low self-esteem, stress, frequent self-criticism, and pessimism
• Substance abuse
• Physical violence or sexual abuse
• Loss or death of a loved one
• Difficult relationships, financial worries, traumatic and stressful events
• Other mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Serious and chronic illnesses such as cancer, stroke, chronic pain, and heart disease
• Some medical treatments
• More frequently observed in women compared to men
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Sexual orientation
• Socioeconomic conditions.

How Does Depression Get Better?

Depression is a serious health issue that requires treatment and support through various other applications. People with depression can often foster positive emotions and improve their mood through regular exercise. Getting adequate amounts of quality sleep regularly, eating healthily, and engaging in social life can help reduce symptoms of depression. Some practices that can help alleviate or relieve the symptoms of depression include:

• Adopting healthy sleep and eating habits
• Developing stress management mechanisms
• Engaging in regular relaxing activities such as exercise, yoga, and meditation
• Spending time with loved ones
• Continuing activities that were previously enjoyable
• Taking short, calm walks
• Keeping a journal
• Sharing feelings with a trusted friend or acquaintance
• Consulting with doctors and counselors
• Joining a support group
• Addressing vitamin deficiencies
• Delaying significant decisions such as changing jobs, getting married, or divorcing for a certain period.

How is Depression Treated?

Depression is among the most treatable mental disorders. The vast majority of patients with depression respond positively to treatment, and improvements in symptoms are observed. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before treatment and to undergo a comprehensive evaluation that includes a physical examination. In some cases, depression can stem from a medical condition such as vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorders. Blood tests may be conducted to detect these medical conditions. During the evaluation, the individual's medical history, family background, cultural, and environmental factors may also be investigated to identify specific symptoms and establish a diagnosis. The methods that can be utilized in the treatment of depression include:

Medication Treatment: Medical treatments are frequently preferred among the methods used to treat depression. Physicians may prescribe antidepressant medications to regulate brain chemistry. Antidepressants work by altering the brain's production or utilization of certain chemicals related to mood and stress. The use of these medications should be conducted under medical advice. Patients should regularly inform their doctors about the effects and side effects of the medication. Accordingly, doctors may decide to continue or discontinue the treatment.

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy techniques such as talk therapy can be used alone for mild depression, and combined with antidepressants for moderate and severe depression. Psychotherapy can be applied individually to the patient, or in family and couples therapy formats. Different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, can also be utilized. Therapies help individuals cope with negative thoughts and issues and provide a better understanding of problem-solving strategies. They assist in developing the ability to manage, accept, and tolerate stress.

Electroconvulsive Therapy: This involves passing electric currents through the brain to alter the function and effects of neurotransmitters in order to alleviate depression. It is often applied to individuals who cannot be treated through medical methods or who are unable to take medication for health reasons.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: This method may be suitable for patients who do not respond to medical treatment procedures. A treatment coil placed on the scalp sends short magnetic pulses to stimulate mood and nerve cells related to depression.

Complementary Medicine: Therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and hypnosis can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of patients with mild depression using traditional medical methods.

Depression is a serious mood disorder and must be treated. Untreated depression can lead to undesirable situations. The choice of treatment procedure varies depending on the severity of depression. If you or someone close to you shows symptoms of depression, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional and begin the necessary treatment. Depression is a treatable condition, and seeking expert support can be the right step for you.