We all get the blues from time to time––feeling depressed is a normal part of living life and a natural reaction to some of life’s more unfortunate circumstances. However, some people experience depression in a sustained, non-normal way; its effects can reach into every corner of the lives of those afflicted with it.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from it. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.
It is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease and is linked to other health problems. People with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis may also have a higher risk of depression.
It is considered a chronic or recurrent condition. People with a history of three prior episodes of major depression have a relapse rate of 70 to 80% and people with no prior history have a relapse rate of 20 to 30%.
Is Depression a Kind of Allergic Reaction?
People with hay fever and other common allergies are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, a new study finds.
Researchers have discovered that patients with the “three As” – asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (the eczema skin condition) – are 66% more likely to develop anxiety or other psychiatric disorders.
Allergy sufferers are twice as likely to be depressed as those who are allergy-free. When allergies are in check, depression may also subside.
Surprisingly, allergies can affect your mood. A growing number of scientists are suggesting that depression is a result of inflammation caused by the body’s immune system.
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Diagnosed with Depression[/caption]
The brain contains histamine receptors. Histamine is the chemical that's released during an allergic reaction, and it may affect mood when it attaches to the receptor sites in the brain.
Loss of sleep due to allergies also adds to mental distress. For some people, depression is the only allergy symptom that they experience.
It’s important to note that allergens that may trigger depression and anxiety don’t only include dust mites, pet dander, grass, ragweed, or pollen.
It might also occur if you can’t tame food allergies (shellfish, nuts, gluten).
There’s a correlation between inflammation and depression. Many of the physical changes caused by depression, such as insomnia or a lack of deep sleep, are thought to weaken your immune system.
This can make existing illnesses worse. In turn, physical changes caused either by depression or chronic disease can trigger or worsen depression.
Depression is a Leading Cause of Disability
The World Health Organization considers depression to be a leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease and unipolar (as opposed to bipolar) depression is the 10th leading cause of early death.
Depression in its own right is a disabling condition impairing all aspects of human function. In persons with a chronic medical disease, depression often makes the management of chronic illness more difficult.
People routinely say that depression is the worst thing that’s happened to them and their brains don’t work properly. They can’t make decisions and they aren’t sure of themselves — everything requires huge mental effort.”
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of a depressive episode can include: loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, change in weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Anxiety and depression disorders are closely related. Nearly 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. To diagnose major depression, either depressed mood or loss of pleasure in activities must be one of the symptoms.
It affects the body. Headache, stomach problems, shortness of breath, and general physical tension can all be symptoms of depression. It affects everyone differently and it’s also normal to have some of the symptoms from time to time without having depression.
Depression may be a gut feeling. A complicated relationship between the brain, the central nervous system, and the “good” bacteria in the gut.
When long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school, and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.
Types of Depression
Depressed people may not look depressed. Depression is a hidden illness and some people can seem upbeat and cheerful, but inside they’re struggling with the symptoms of depression.
It comes in different forms, such as persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and major depression.
Depending on the number and severity of symptoms, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.
Major depression is also known as major depressive disorder, classic, or unipolar depression. It’s fairly common.
It’s a severe form of depression that causes symptoms such as: despondency, gloom, or grief, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, lack of energy and fatigue, loss of appetite or overeating, unexplained aches and pains, loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities, lack of concentration, memory problems, and inability to make decisions, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, constant worry and anxiety and thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide.
A persistent depressive disorder is a depression that lasts for two years or more. It’s also called chronic depression. Persistent depression might not feel as intense as major depression, but it can still strain relationships and make daily tasks difficult.
Manic depression or bipolar disorder consists of periods of mania or hypomania, where you feel very happy, alternating with episodes of depression.
Manic depression is an outdated name for bipolar disorder.
Depressive psychosis, some people with major depression also go through periods of losing touch with reality.
This is known as psychosis, which can involve hallucinations and delusions.
Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder and clinically known as a major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is depression that’s related to certain seasons.
For most people, it tends to happen during the winter months. Once spring rolls around, symptoms tend to improve.
Maternal Depression
Postpartum depression occurs after having a baby. Feelings of postpartum depression are more intense and last longer than those of “baby blues,” a term used to describe the worry, sadness, and tiredness many women experience after having a baby.
After childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly drop. This leads to chemical changes in her brain that may trigger mood swings.
Also, many mothers are unable to get the rest they need to fully recover from giving birth. Constant sleep deprivation can lead to physical discomfort and exhaustion, which can contribute to the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Contributing Factors for Depression
Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. Personal or family history of depression, major adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, psychological trauma), stress, and certain medications can contribute to a higher risk of developing depression.
It can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation.
The genetic predisposition to depression is becoming better understood and might explain why one person becomes depressed and another doesn’t.
A family history of depression matters, but it’s not always the only factor. Identical twins — siblings who have the same genes — will both develop depression only about 30 percent of the time.
Yeast infections are a relatively common, new research has just revealed a tentative link between the Candida fungus and memory impairment.
Candida when overproduced can break down the wall of the intestine and penetrate the bloodstream — releasing toxic by-products into your body and causing leaky gut and candidiasis (candida infection). This can lead to many different health problems, from digestive issues to depression.
Vitamin D and Depression
Studies have shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression and vitamin D receptors have been identified in the same areas of the brain associated with depression.
Vitamin D is important to brain function, insufficient nutrient levels may play a role in depression and other mental illnesses. Some investigators have reported that vitamin D is important for brain development and nerve growth.
Limited sun exposure, lifestyle, and age can contribute to low vitamin D levels.
Prevention of Depression
To prevent depression we need to exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days. Exercise can help in the treatment and prevention of depression in several key ways: it increases the body temperature, which can have a calming effect on the central nervous system, it reduces immune system chemicals that may worsen depression.
Exercise is known to increase levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that boost mood. These are the same brain chemicals whose levels are controlled by antidepressant medications.
Cut back on social media time, build strong relationships, minimize your daily choices, reduce stress, maintain your treatment plan and get plenty of sleep. Stay away from toxic people.
Toxic people can lower their self-esteem. Negative social interactions were associated with inflammation as well as depression.
Eat well; regularly consuming a high-fat diet can have similar effects as chronic stress in terms of causing depression. An unhealthy diet can also deprive your body of vital nutrients it needs to maintain physical and mental health.
Eat balanced meals with lean protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Reduce high-sugar and high-fat foods. Incorporate more omega-3s into your diet, with foods like salmon or nuts.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can result in low self-esteem and there is a clear correlation between being obese and experiencing depression.
Manage chronic conditions as people with chronic conditions have a higher risk of developing depression. Read prescription medication side effects carefully.
A few medications that can cause depression include hormonal medications, like birth control pills, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants. Stop smoking, smoking and depression can perpetuate each other.
Effective community approaches to prevent depression include school-based programs to enhance a pattern of positive thinking in children and adolescents.
Interventions for parents of children with behavioral problems may reduce parental depressive symptoms and improve outcomes for their children.
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