Dealing With Depression Part 2

Causes of Depression

There are several causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial. Common causes of depression include:

• Family history: You’re at a higher risk of developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.

• Early childhood trauma: Some events from your childhood days affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
• Brain structure: There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Drug use: A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your brain. About 21 percent of people who have a substance use problem also experience depression.

In addition to these causes, other risk factors for depression include:

• Low self-esteem or being self-critical.
• Personal history of mental illness.
• Certain medications.
• Stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce.

However, in many cases, healthcare providers are unable to determine what’s causing depression.

Quick tips on dealing with depression

Reach out and stay connected

When you’re depressed, the tendency is to withdraw and isolate that you disconnect from even close family members and friends. However, getting support plays an essential role in overcoming depression. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression.

Do things that make you feel good

The period when your emotions are down and weak is the time for you to get involved in those things you love best, could be sports, music or bike riding, singing and dancing.

Get moving

Go on the move, do anything to keep you out of bed and get your brain active. Go for exercise, take classes, get a daily dose of sunlight.

Challenge negative thinking

Depression is mostly birthed by negative thoughts in the mind, especially when it’s caused by lack of self-esteem. So, to deal with it, say daily words of affirmation to yourself, think yourself to be a doer and an achiever.

Get professional help

If you’ve taken self-help steps and made positive lifestyle changes and still find your depression getting worse, seek professional help.

See first part of article here- https://www.lionscrib.com/2020/11/04/dealing-with-depression-part-1/

Sources

Helpguide

Healthline

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