{"id":4539,"date":"2024-09-30T11:54:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T08:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/terveelukeskus.ee\/?p=4539"},"modified":"2024-09-30T12:24:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T09:24:46","slug":"depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/terveelukeskus.ee\/en\/depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Depression explained \u2013 causes, symptoms and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Depression occurs worldwide in all age groups and among people of all social backgrounds, both men and women. Depression usually first appears between the ages of 20 and 25. Estimates of the prevalence of depression vary widely, but in most countries, between 8 and 121% of people experience depression during their lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

World Health Organization<\/span><\/a> has classified depression as one of the world's most disabling diseases - major depression causes the same level of disability as terminal cancer. Depression is the disease with the highest burden of disease in middle- and high-income countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

One study found that up to 651% of people with depression consider the illness to be a serious disability. Despite this, many people with depression do not receive any treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

TABLE OF CONTENTS
\n<\/span> What is depression?<\/a>
\n<\/span> Development of depression due to the influence of a close relationship<\/a>
\n<\/span> Signs and symptoms of depression<\/a>
\n<\/span> Smiling depression<\/a>
\n<\/span> Depression during pregnancy<\/a>
\n<\/span> Postpartum depression<\/a>
\n<\/span> Depression diagnosis and tests<\/a>
\n<\/span> Depression treatment<\/a>
\n<\/span> How to help or live with a depressed person?<\/a><\/div>\n

What is depression?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"depressionLundbeck Estonia<\/span><\/a> writes on its website that \u201cDepression is a serious illness characterized by symptoms such as sadness, inability to feel joy and pleasure, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So depression is not just sadness. Depression affects people in different ways, but it is more than just a temporary low mood and depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to chemical changes in the brain, patients with depression experience prolonged sadness and anxiety, unexplained pain, and poor sleep quality and\/or a lack of interest and energy. Symptoms of depression can last for weeks, months, or years. In the most severe cases, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and self-harm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Living with depression can be challenging, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to find new coping strategies and restore quality of life and joy in everyday activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes depression?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depression <\/span><\/a>The causes can be very different. To understand the cause of depression, it is worth analyzing the sources of stress in your life. Any source of stress can lead to depression. This could be the death of a loved one, a major change, such as moving, a chronic illness, or the birth of a child. It is also worth thinking about your family history and perhaps the cause of depression is hereditary. You could also notice whether your moods follow a certain pattern. If your moods regularly fluctuate up and down, you may have seasonal depression or bipolar disorder. Possible causes of depression could therefore be, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n