Depression is a disease characterized by mood disorders. On average, as estimated by the World Health Organization, around 300 million people in the world suffer from depression. Depression affects the performance of the simplest everyday tasks, sometimes with devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends and opportunities to earn a living. In order to be diagnosed with depression or a depressive episode, the symptoms should last for at least two weeks.
Deep sadness
Everyone has bad days and is occasionally sad and moody, but the mood you experience when you are clinically depressed is different, the sadness becomes more severe, and with it other symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, even body pain appear. A negative mood lasts for weeks, even months, and envelops you no matter what you do. Depression cannot be cured overnight because it affects many complex areas of the brain - the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus - which have a joint role in maintaining a stable mood and controlling emotions, feelings and memory, he writes. i live.hr.
Strange behaviors
Depression can manifest itself in situations that are very dangerous for the depressed person as well as for his environment. You get behind the wheel drunk, go to casinos and bet uncontrollably, get into unnecessary conflicts with your superiors...
Too much alcohol
Between 20 and 25 percent of depressed men have a drinking problem. Unfortunately, women are not far behind. Once you become addicted to the good feelings that beer, wine, or any other form of alcohol brings, it's hard to break that cycle of self-delusion. But alcohol is a bad antidepressant, often increasing many other symptoms like sleep deprivation and anger. In addition, too much alcohol harms long-term health, muscles, brain, heart and other parts of the body.
Exhaustion
Can't fall asleep? Having trouble staying alert the next day and chronically tired? Sleep disorders are one of the first and most common signs of depression. Three quarters of depressed patients have symptoms of insomnia. When you have a million scary thoughts running through your mind, your brain keeps you awake, which can lead to excessive fatigue during the day. This could make other symptoms like irritability and lack of appetite even worse.
Digestive tract problems
The brain and digestive system are strongly connected, which is why many people get stomach problems and suffer from nausea when they are stressed or depressed. Depression also affects the intestines, causing digestive disorders - diarrhea or constipation.
In addition to the above, people suffering from depression may also have some of the following symptoms:
- lack of energy
- changes in appetite
- insomnia or excessive need for sleep
- increased anxiety or worry
- reduced concentration
- indecision
- restlessness
- feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness
- thoughts of self-harm or suicide
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