According to epidemiological survey data, the number of depression patients nationwide may be approaching 100 million, with over 200,000 people committing suicide due to depression each year. The high prevalence of depression has attracted widespread attention in society.
Recently, the National Health Commission proposed in the “Exploration of Specialized Services for Depression Prevention and Control Plan” that depression screening be included in the health examinations of high schools and colleges.
Causes of Depression:
Depression belongs to emotional mental disorders, and the general public knows very little about the causes of this disease. Some people think it’s just that the patients are unhappy and melodramatic, nothing serious.
In fact, this is a misunderstanding of depression, and we need to correct this perception. Research shows that if a person’s subjective thoughts are in an unhappy, gloomy state for a long time, there will be disruptions in the neurotransmitters in the brain. Moreover, with the suffering and emotional lows of a person, there will be changes in the brain’s electrical activity and brain functional areas, leading to chemical changes.
From a pathophysiological perspective, individuals with a family history of depression have a higher risk of developing depression than the general population, indicating that depression is also genetic. If a parent has suffered from severe depression, their children are eight times more likely to develop depression than the average person.
Symptoms of Depression:
We’ve all heard that people with depression are pessimistic and have suicidal tendencies, but the symptoms of depression are not limited to these. In addition to mental torment, it can also cause physical pain.
There are many symptoms of depression, and not all symptoms will manifest at the same time in a person. Typically, most people with depression will experience 5-6 or more of the following symptoms.
1. Feeling visibly unhappy most of the day.
2. Finding life joyless and difficult to enjoy.
3. Indecisive, hesitant, finding it difficult to make decisions.
4. Feeling inadequately equipped for current work and tasks compared to before.
5. Finding no interest in anything, lacking motivation.
6. Feeling very tired and exhausted.
7. Often restless, irritable, and easily angered.
8. Often experiencing loss of appetite, unable to eat anything, or suddenly having a good appetite, leading to binge eating. Changes in weight (mostly decrease, but some experience the opposite).
9. Unexplained physical discomfort, such as pain in certain parts of the body or headaches.
10. Finding it difficult to fall asleep while lying in bed but waking up earlier than usual.
11. Suddenly losing interest in sexual activity.
12. Losing confidence, feeling incapable, worthless, and lacking in value, losing confidence in the future.
13. Unwilling to interact or converse with others.
14. Looking lost and dejected.
15. Frequently crying for no apparent reason.
16. Having violent impulses.
17. Having suicidal thoughts.
So, does having more than 5 of the above symptoms mean one has depression?
Not necessarily. The diagnosis of depression requires consideration from various aspects, such as the severity and duration of symptoms, recent significant events that may have upset the patient, or whether the patient has taken any specific medications. These require assessment by a professional psychiatrist through face-to-face communication with the patient, in addition to using psychological questionnaires and evaluations to make a comprehensive diagnosis.
Prevention of Depression:
Therefore, having several symptoms that match does not necessarily mean depression, but it is also not self-deception or a personality defect. When problems arise, the best approach is to face them positively instead of avoiding them. If in the recent past, if you have been experiencing the above symptoms continuously for two weeks, or if they have affected your work, life, or daily activities, it is essential to be vigilant and seek medical assistance promptly to prevent the situation from worsening.
Moreover, even if diagnosed with depression, one should not lose hope. Depression can be effectively treated through psychological and pharmaceutical interventions. Early intervention and treatment yield ideal results.
So, how can we prevent depression in our daily lives?
1. Engage in physical exercise.
Exercise not only boosts metabolism but also releases dopamine, which uniquely aids in reducing psychological stress. You can choose activities like jogging or walking to stretch your body. Also, participating in group sports like volleyball or badminton, which are fun and competitive, can help uplift and organize your emotions.
2. Avoid letting adverse events have a prolonged impact on your body.
In life, everyone encounters setbacks and major changes, potentially leading to negative emotions such as excessive sadness, self-blame, or restlessness. It’s important to find ways to quickly overcome these emotions. Communicate with others more, and avoid keeping things to yourself. Enhance your personal qualities and keep an open mind.
3. Maintain good sleep habits.
Quality sleep can ease both the body and mind. Before sleep, if you keep worrying about things that make you anxious, it may lead to insomnia or light sleep, leaving you tired the next day and exacerbating anxious or irritable emotions. When going to bed, take deep breaths, relax your body, give your brain the signal that it’s time to sleep, let your fast-paced mind slow down, and gradually fall asleep.
Depression may be frightening, but it doesn’t have to conquer everyone. On the contrary, as long as we face it head-on, we can overcome depression. When our emotions are troubled, learning to seek help is crucial. Remember, we only live once. We come into this world not to endure suffering but to enjoy happiness. And where does happiness lie? It is where we create it ourselves! Keep going!
