Depression commonly manifests physically, through digestive issues, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and motor difficulties. While the causes of depression are unknown, a predisposition for it runs in families and it can be triggered by trauma and adverse life circumstances. Depression is diagnosed more frequently in women and tends to display differently in women than in men.
Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and life-skills. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs or overeat as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems.
Depression is a mental illness which is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including:
- Apathy
- Sadness
- Guilt
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
Diagnosing depression involves a psychiatric evaluation and physical tests to determine whether a person’s symptoms are actually being caused by a different disorder. Symptoms should occur for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression. Every case is unique and requires individual attention, but there are a number of effective ways of treating depression, including:
- Talk therapy
- Medication
- Adopting a healthier lifestyle