Depression is a common mental health condition that negatively affects a person. A person who is depressed feels sad and loses interest in what has always been a source of joy to him/her.
According to WHO, it’s estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression worldwide and depression is more prevalent among women than men.
It’s normal for humans to feel sad when things are not going smoothly. But when it’s becoming unbearable that you now find it hard to be yourself or relate with others, it can be a sign of depression.
Depression, if not attended to on time can have a prolonged effect on individual mental health. It can lead to various mental and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function properly anywhere you find yourself.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the side effects of depression and 7 steps to overcome it.
Article Contents
Side Effects of Depression
Depression is a serious condition that can take a toll on your mental and physical health if not properly attended to. Some of the side effects are:
- Constant sadness
- Loss of interest in activities that were once hobbies
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- A feeling of low self-worth/esteem
- Drug/substance abuse
- Suicide
- Academic/Work problems
- It can lead to other serious or chronic illnesses like heart disease, chronic pain, and stroke.
How to Overcome Depression
Depression ranges from mild to severe. It’s one of the conditions that can be treated if you seek the help of a therapist or mental health professional.
The treatment alternatives for depression range from medications and therapy to lifestyle changes. Just as every individual is differently suffering from depression, the treatment also may change from person to person.
Sometimes, a mental health professional may use only medication or only psychotherapy. If needed, both kinds of treatments may be taken together.
Here are 7 steps to overcome depression:
Medication
Antidepressants can be useful for treating moderate to severe depression. These medicines can take 2-4 weeks to point out an improvement in the symptoms of depression.
Medical practitioners recommend antidepressants based on the symptoms you are experiencing. While antidepressants have a high chance of success, they may have side effects also.
The common side effects associated with antidepressants are:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Difficulty in sexual arousal
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Sweating
- Dizziness
While these symptoms might not persist for a long time, you need to inform the doctor if you’ve got any so that they can suggest ways to minimize the side effects of your medication.
Psychotherapy
The most prevalent types of therapies used for treating depression are:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
Psychotherapy can help you to:
- Find the reason behind your depression
- Introspect
- Identify your triggers
- Modify your negative thinking patterns
- Improve your behavior
What other steps can be taken?
In addition to finding the proper treatment for your symptoms of depression, exercising and lifestyle changes can help you combat your depression more effectively. Talk to your relations or search for a support group that will assist you in dealing with your depression.
Making positive lifestyle changes such as the following can assist you to combat it faster:
Exercise
Engaging in exercises can boost the release of the ‘feel good’ natural brain chemicals that trigger the growth of new brain cells. Taking half an hour to walk or jog daily can greatly help you in overcoming depression.
Diet
Ensure to include nutritious and balanced diet on your plate instead of sugary foods. Don’t eat too much; balanced meals help you minimize the fluctuations in mood and keep your energy up.
Restful sleep
Not getting adequate sleep can worsen your symptoms and lead to irritation, mood swings, and tiredness. Plan your day so that you get a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
Busting stress
Increased stress increases your depressive symptoms. Try to cut out stressors like unsupportive relationships from your life or find ways to reduce their impact on your life.
Social support
Do not separate yourself from others, build a social support system. Engage in hobbies and pleasurable activities that put you in touch with other people. You can make yourself available to do tasks so that you help yourself while helping others. Always stay around positive and supportive people or support groups.
Other alternative techniques you can choose are relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, which may help boost positive emotions.
Wrapping Up
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you are having a mental condition, you won’t be able to function well at work or home.
It is also beneficial to know the foundation of depression. If your symptoms are because of nutritional deficiency, the doctor may prescribe health supplements.
Hope you found this helpful.
