Irrespective of who you are, there’s a reasonable chance that you may know someone who is affected with depression. The odds are quite possible considering 1 in 10 Americans go through a bout of the disorder at some point in their life. Understanding depression or any other mental disorder like anxiety for example, requires having a comprehensive idea of all aspects related to the disease. Before understanding depression and anxiety, it is important to know that these are medical disorders and should be considered and treated that way.
This means that the effects of the disorder and the thought processes associated with these disorders will most likely not have a rational explanation. This is vital when understanding depression in a loved one as you may start to blame yourself and wonder why a person reacts in a certain way. In reality, it is just a flawed, irrational perception which shouldn’t be considered too seriously. Instead, diagnosing and treating the condition is what should be taken seriously.
Another important fact to remember when understanding depression is that it can be caused due to a chemical factor. A hormonal imbalance or imbalance or other vital components in the body may result in altered perceptions resulting in the condition. Of course there could be certain triggers such as experiencing emotional or physical trauma. Another cause can be a mid-life crisis or sudden realization such as an epiphany which may result in the development of the condition.
Depression is not simply a feeling of being chronically or severely depressed but results in a number of symptoms that alters a personal on a mental and physical level. Even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as body pain can be a sign that you may be having depression. If you suspect a person being withdrawn or apathetic, it would be a good idea to talk to the person to deduce the possibility of the disorder. If you suspect it, it may be time to see a medical professional. Another important step to understanding depression is that it requires treatment. Certain individuals tend to assume that it may simply be a rough patch that will fix itself but thinking this way is a recipe for disaster.
Depression is a very broad topic with several intricate details. There are dozens of variants of the disorder and it is not possible to have an idea of all these aspects unless you dedicate a lot of time to the subject. Now that you have an idea of the basics, if you suspect someone having the condition, seeking the help of a doctor as soon as possible would be the best step.