Stop depression before it kills you!

Having trouble taking a rest lately? Worried of the pilesof their physical weakness and stress these diseases
of things to do at work? Feeling down and sad? Wait!bring. Doctors say depression can aggravate medical
You might be suffering from depression and mightconditions since it weakens the immune system
cost your life!thereby making their resistance to pain lower. In some
At the start of the 20th century, life has graduallycases, patients in these serious conditions become
become fast-paced life to most people. Everyonedepressed as an effect of prescribed medications.
seems to have been preoccupied with having to earn- Other psychological disorders like schizophrenia,
some bucks to fill their coffers. To be busy has thensubstance abuse, anxiety and eating disorders often
become the order of the day. Very few howeverappear along with depression. Experts also stressed
realize that as they try to make both ends meet inthat people who have low self esteem and pessimists
their everyday existence, they are unconsciouslyare at higher risk of becoming depressed.
putting their lives at high risk. Many people are notHow to fight the illness
aware that amidst all these daily loads, they areOnce an individual notices the signs of depression, he is
already beset with a serious health problem -advised to seek professional help especially if the
depression.condition adversely affects his social functioning and
As defined, depression is a mental illness marked bydaily activities like work. However, the sad thing
feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, andremains- most people refuse to accept the idea that
inadequacy. Most of these individuals often experiencethey are "sick" and that they need medical help.
disturbed sleep and weight change.This is true especially in men who may show the
Many people identify depression as "feeling sad for notypical symptoms of depression, but are more likely to
reason", not motivated to do anything, feel tired after abe angry and hostile. In their hostility, they simply resort
light load of work, irritable and apathetic.to alcohol or drug abuse. Worst, in their refusal to seek
According to medical experts, depression has no singleoutside help, they commit suicide and studies show
cause and the victim may not even have the ideathat men are four times more likely to kill themselves
why he was struck with it.than women because of depression.
Not just a state of mindAs a person ages, the risk of being depressed is
The alarming effect of depression has promptedhigher. This is explained by their physical conditions and
medical experts to conduct researches, to discover itsbecause they become less active as they were
cause and eventually chart solutions. Researchesyounger.
showed that the illness resulted from a combination ofMedical experts say treatment of depression varies
things but it is not just a state of mind as othersdepending on the cause. If the cause is physical like
believe. It is related to physical changes in the brain, andcancer or such other diseases, they are treated based
connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical thaton this aspect. If the cause is psychological, they
carries signals in your brain and nerves. Theseusually undergo counseling and therapy.
chemicals are called neurotransmitters.However, whatever the cause may be, depression
- There have been some common factors pointedcan be treated and more importantly, it can be
which involves depression. Studies revealed thatprevented. But experts say the success of any
genetics play an important part in depression. It can runtreatment will depend on the patient's acceptance and
in families for generations. Another factor is personalearly diagnosis.
problems including financial, break up of a relationship orBut the simplest way to avoid depression, experts
death of a loved one. Likewise, major life changes likeconcluded, is for everyone to value relaxation. Make it
graduation, marriage, staring a new job and the likes doa habit to take a few minutes break from the hassles
cause depression.of life and work and enjoy life to the fullest! Fight
- Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancerdepression before it kills you!
and HIV also contribute to depression partly because