Depression is not just a feeling of sorrow and sadness. It is a medical condition that can affect the way you think, feel, and even experience your day to day life. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In India, according to many studies at least 1 in 20 people live with depression. In a major city like Chennai, lifestyle changes, stress, and lack of work-life balance are causing mental health problems like depression.
Depression can be caused by a number of reasons and for most people, it is not easy to find the underlying cause. Often the condition creates a loss of enthusiasm or even interest in most common things of life. They could end up feeling disinterested to everything. However, with the right support and treatment, it is possible to overcome depression and lead a happy life.
What is Depression?
Depression is also clinically known as major depressive disorder. While it a serious condition, it is also more common than most people assume. This mood disorder is commonly experienced by people who undergo severe traumatic conditions or those who work in toxic environments. It is a disorder that goes beyond temporary sadness and stays on for weeks, months, or even years if left untreated. Symptoms can range from persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, or changes in sleep cycle, loss of appetite, or extreme hunger, fatigue, and even feelings of worthlessness.
What Causes Depression – Most Common Causes
Depression can be caused by a number of biological, psychological, and social factors. Most often, it is not caused by a single factor but by a myriad number of complicated factors.
Biological Factors
Chemical imbalances in the brain can be a major factor that could lead to depression. While these are generally caused by genetic predisposition, or hormonal changes. If an individual’s family has a history of people with depression or manic disorders, there is a higher probability for the person to be affected by depression. In such cases, Medication can help alleviate symptoms of depression, especially when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes.. In such cases, it is better to seek the help of depression treatment doctors in Chennai.
Psychological Factors
The next most common and widespread cause could be psychological factors. When an individual goes on a spiral of negative thinking pattern, it could cause depression. Or in other cases, past trauma or any unresolved grief or loss can also lead to a depressive disorder. Even if the actual cause of the problem is not known, it is recommended that you visit a psychiatrist hospital in Chennai for a complete diagnosis. Self-help is not always helpful for people suffering with depression.
Lifestyle Factors
In many common cases, depression could also be caused as a result of poor sleep, lack of proper physical activity. Without proper sleep, you might feel tired and face low mood levels. Similarly, lack of proper workout will also numb the body and keep it in a state of slumber continuously.
Other factors that could lead to depression are substance use or substance abuse. When a person uses narcotic drugs for a prolonged period, it could permanently damage their nervous system and lead to depression. Even in cases of continuous usage, it could affect the key areas of the brain. In many cases, social anxiety and social isolation can also lead to depression.
External Pressures
Depression can also be caused by a number of other factors that are not even intrinsic in nature. It could simply be workplace stress, high academic expectations, or ever growing financial worries, or relationship conflicts.
While causes vary, the important thing to remember is that depression is not a personal weakness. It is a health condition that deserves proper care and treatment. Whatever be the cause of the depression, you need to find proper support. If you’re a women, you can even find the best women psychiatrists in Chennai and seek their professional help.
How Depression Impacts Your Life
Most people will try to cope up with the condition by learning to live with it. However, when untreated, depression can quietly infiltrate and affect every aspect of life.
Impact of Depression on Career & Productivity
Depression reduces your concentration levels, decision-making ability, and energy levels. If you are suffering from depression, then you might struggle with meeting the deadlines, working together with a team and even finding the motivation to perform common tasks. Over time, this can lead to stalled professional growth.
Depression can Derail Personal Relationships
Another important collateral damage of depression will be your personal relationships. Your loved ones will find it difficult to understand the behavioural changes that are caused by your depression. This could result in them misunderstanding your thoughts, intentions, and reactions. This could result in them finding faults in your actions. At the same time, you will undergo a phase of withdrawal, irritability, or disinterest communication can create distance in friendships, marriages, or family ties. Slowly, with the passage of time, it could also cause breaking of relationships.
How to Overcome Depression
Recovery from depression is possible, if you follow these basic steps.
Firstly, the most important step is reaching out to a best psychiatric hospital in Tamil Nadu. Therapy and counselling provide safe spaces to explore emotions and develop coping mechanisms. Experienced psychiatrists can help you to unravel the problems that you have faced. Similarly, you will also get medication that will rebalance the brain chemistry.
Build a Support System
Talking with trusted friends, family members, or support groups reduces the isolation that is often a result of depression. By building a good support system and seeking the support of this close-knit of family and friends, you can inoculate yourself from the ill-effects of depression.
Maintain Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can fix many issues that most likely cause depressions. Balanced meals, consistent sleep-wake cycle, reduced alcohol or caffeine intake make a huge difference in stabilising your mood.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, know that you don’t have to face it alone. At our mental health hospital in Chennai with trained psychiatrists and therapists, we provide structured and personalised care for depression.
There is Life After Depression
Depression may slow you down, but it does not define you and definitely not ends your life. Take the first step towards healing today. Reach out to our mental hospital in Chennai to book a confidential consultation with our mental health specialists. A life filled with purpose, peace, and happiness is waiting for you.
