At some time in their lives, millions of individuals all over the world deal with sadness or depression.
Affecting more than 264 million people worldwide, it is characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. Even though they are connected, sadness and depression are not the same. A person can decide when to seek therapy by being aware of the distinctions.
Know the difference
Addressing sadness and depression is essential to improving health and well-being.
Sadness:
Depression includes sadness, but the two are not the same. Sadness is a normal human emotion that everyone will experience during times of stress or anxiety. Many life events can make people sad or unhappy, such as the loss of a loved one or divorce. Loss of job or income, financial problems or problems at home can all affect mood in a negative way.
Sadness usually goes away with time. If something doesn't go away or if the person can't resume normal activities, it could be a sign of depression. If the mood worsens or lasts more than 2 weeks, the person should see their doctor.
Depression:
Depression is a mental disorder that affects many areas of a person's life, it can happen to people of any gender or age and it also changes attitudes. About 16.1 million people in the United States aged 18 or older experienced at least one major depression in the past year, or 6.7 percent of all adults in the country.
In severe cases, a person with depression may think about or attempt suicide, may no longer feel like spending time with family or friends, and may stop pursuing hobbies or go to work or school. If you are depressed, you may have some of these symptoms, but they should not last more than two weeks. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of sadness, not depression.
Risk factors
Any age might be affected by depression in both men and women. It affects people from all social backgrounds. There are many risk factors for depression, but having one or more risk factors does not mean You will be sad. Depression impacts a person's emotions, thoughts, behaviour and physical well-being.
Risk factors include:
Early childhood or adolescent trauma.
Failing to cope with a devastating life event such as the death of a child or spouse or any situation that causes extreme levels of pain.
Low self-esteem.
A family history of mental illness, bipolar disorder or depression.
History of drug and alcohol use.
But a person with clinical depression will have symptoms such as loss of interest in social activities, isolation from others, difficulty sleeping, or drastic changes in appetite. Those that last for two weeks or more, may even have thoughts of death or suicide. In such cases, you may need counseling.
Treatment of depression
If a person has symptoms of depression for more than 2 weeks, they should seek medical help. After diagnosis, treatment includes drug counseling and psychotherapy, medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant that work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger, which helps to improve mood. Medications can reduce the symptoms of depression, but they carry the risk of side effects. In order to receive therapy, you must see a doctor.
How can you help someone with depression?
It can be very harmful to the people living with it. People who have it tend to suffer from it later and can fall into depression more easily with everything that follows. If you think someone you know has depression and If you need help, talk to that person about it.
Make sure the person is ready and available to talk and is in a comfortable environment, and not feeling pressured. Contact your nearest mental health first aid doctor to follow an action plan to help someone with depression or sadness and a mental health problem.
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