It is a serious health condition and chronic feeling in which person deals with mood swings, anxiety, not able to think properly. It is a common mental disorder and affects your physical and mental health. It is estimated that 6% of adults suffer from the disorder depression.

Basically, it affects the way you think, the way you work, the way you treat back with people, can change your eating habits, your working style, your study, can destroy your personal life too. Sometime we found ourself sad, helpless, unsuccessful, guilty, unhappy due to loss of loved one, disappointment in our life. If these symptoms continue for some long time, and the affected person is not able to continue his daily life works in a manner way, then it may be a sign of depression. Generally, women suffer more as compared to men due to pregnancy, imbalanced hormones, genetic, and unhappy marriage, divorce. Mental health counsellor and psychiatrist are able to diagnose and treat them in a right way.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of depression are following. If you will find any five of following, probability you are suffering from depression.

• Weight loss/ weight gain
• Worthlessness
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Difficulty in concentration and decision making
• Low self esteem
• Changes in menstrual cycle
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Digestion problem
• Difficult to fall asleep
• Avoiding in social activities
• Unexplained physical problem
• Loss of interest in sex, hobbies
• Refusing to go to office, school
• Feeling guilty all the time
• Thinking of suicide
• Loss of memory

If you have any five to seven of these symptoms during the same fifteen days period, as soon as make an appointment with your doctor or psychiatrist.

Causes

• Mental health problems
• Physical health problems
• Drugs, alcohol, medications
• Hormone imbalance
• Heredity
• Environment
• Being single parenthood
• Unemployment.
• Pressure of education
• Problems in relationship
• Body image issues
• Unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage
• Pressure of office work
• Lack of social support
• Overburdened with responsibilities

Types

Postpartum depression

• Postpartum is a type of depression that happens after giving birth to a child. It is generally happening when you are a first-time parent.
• Being a parent is the happiest moment of life but sometimes can also be tiring and burduned.so it can also result in something you won’t expect.
• Postpartum depression can make you feel empty, emotionless, crying, sad. It can cause changes in mood, concentration, sleeping for a long period of time.
• It can make you difficult to make a bond with your child, feeling of confusion and lost all the time, can also result in thought of suicide. If it will untreated for a long period of time, it may last for months or years.

Clinical depression

• Clinical depression is a severe form of depression in which you have felt low, worthless, sad for days or months. People suffers with this disorder can crying for no reason, neglecting their responsibilities, can lost interest in basic life activities.
• In any age people can suffer with disorder, some of physical and behavioral changes can be seen in these people like, insomnia, headache, bp problem, fatigue, digestion problem, feeling of guilty and helpless.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

• • All children show tantrum from time to time, but if your child (age between 6 to 18) shows severe temper tantrums very frequently, then it may be considered as DMDD.
  • Some of the symptoms are: anger, irritability, outburst mood, denied to go to school, denied to study.
  • Parents should consult with psychotherapist, with this child learn how to deal with thoughts and feeling that contribute to their feeling depressed and irritable. In this particular therapy children learn skills for regulating anger.
  • Parent management training is a training in which parents are taught with specific strategies they can use when children show tantrums.

premenstrual dysphoric disorder

• • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Generally, symptoms start one week before your periods.
  • It is happening because of hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle, the main symptoms are anxiety, acne, breast tenderness, migraine, muscular pain, nausea, mood swings etc
  •  to control over all these things, you should consult with a psychiatrist.

Persistent depressive disorder

• •  It is a mild or moderate depression that continues for one to two years.it begins early of childhood. You may feel sad, anxiety, nervous, lost interest in daily activities, avoiding social activities, impatient etc.
  • You should try to come out of this with the help of mental health counsellor and trying to boost your self-esteem and reach out to family, close relatives and friends, with whom you can increase your ability to recover from problems.

Diet

• • Food plays a important role in physical emotional as well as mental health. When you are suffering from mental health disorder or depression, right choice of food is necessary just to added complete nutrition value.
  • Symptoms of people with severe depression improved when they received nutritional counselling session and ate a more healthful diet for six months.
  • Our gut and brain are connected via vagus nerve, can send message to each other like gut is able to influence emotional behaviour in the brain and the brain can also alter the type of bacteria living in the gut. Focus on what you eat, when to eat and how you feel is the first step in making sure you are getting balanced meals and snacks.
  • Foods should include in diet to beat depression like dark green leafy vegetables, apples, berries, tomatoes, walnuts, low fat dairy foods,
  • Foods should avoid in diet alcohol, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweetener, white bread, hydrogenated oil, flesh food, refined flour, energy drinks, highly fat dairy products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, depression is a complex and serious mood disorder that can significantly impact a person’s life and overall well-being. Understanding its symptoms, causes, types, treatment options, and the role of a well-balanced diet is crucial for individuals and their loved ones.

Recognizing the common symptoms of depression, such as persistent feelings of sadness, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating, is essential for seeking timely support and intervention. Unraveling the underlying causes, which may include genetics, brain chemistry, life events, and environmental factors, can help address the root issues effectively.

Depression can manifest in various types, such as postpartum depression, clinical depression, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. Each type may require different approaches to treatment and management.

Speaking of treatment, there is hope for those facing depression. Various options, including psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and self-help strategies, can help manage the condition and improve mental well-being.

Additionally, the significance of a well-balanced diet in supporting mental health cannot be understated. Certain foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and low-fat dairy, have been linked to mood regulation and overall well-being, while avoiding certain foods and substances, like alcohol and caffeine, can be beneficial.

It is crucial to seek professional help and support when dealing with depression, and with the right guidance and care, individuals can find a path towards healing and improved mental health. Let us embark on this journey together, empowering ourselves with knowledge and compassion, to combat the challenges of depression and embrace a brighter, fulfilling life. Remember, you are not alone, and there is support available to help you navigate through the shadows of depression and find a path to a happier and healthier future.