How to identify depression and manage its effects on health

Depression may be one of the most common mental illnesses, but unfortunately, not many people feel comfortable or confident enough to speak about what they are going through. It is very different from being sad or feeling low. If ignored and left untreated, depression can have a severe impact on your emotional, physical, social and mental health.

Signs of Depression

• Lack of interest
• Loss/increase in appetite
• Mood swings
• Change in sleeping patterns
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling worthless and guilty
• Anxiety
• No concentration
• Physical strains and pains
• Fatigue

How Does Depression Affect Mental Health?

One or a combination of many factors can cause depression and takes a massive toll on your mental health and emotional well-being. Mood swings, a feeling of self-doubt, lack of self-confidence, memory loss and anxiety attacks are just some effects on mental health. Stress and anxiety weaken the immune system. In severe cases of depression, the person tends to get suicidal thoughts too.

How Does Depression Affect Physical Health?

Depression goes beyond affecting your mental health. It affects your appetite and changes what and how you eat. While some people completely lose their appetite, others tend to find comfort in eating and end up putting on a lot of unhealthy weight. Another effect of depression on your physical health is that it causes body aches and pains. People suffering from depression complain of headaches, backaches and stomach aches. A person can also experience fatigue and extreme exhaustion without even having to exert much effort.

How to Manage Depression’s Effect on Physical & Mental Health

Here are some ways that an individual can enforce to deal with their depression or help someone else:

#1 Socialise

Socialising and talking to your friends and family helps. A person with depression tends to feel lonely and isolated. Communicating about your feelings and worries with a loved one can guide you to take the necessary measure to feel better.

#2 Pet Therapy

Animal therapy proves to be very effective in treating depression. Having a pet can make you feel less lonely, release tension from your body, help manage anxiety and depression, and provide unconditional love. Dogs and cats make excellent pets that boost mental health.

#3 Join a Support Group

If required, you can join a support group too. Listening to other people share their stories enables you to cope with depression and heal under the guidance of a mental health care professional. These support groups also help in making a person feel less isolated and detached from everyone else.

#4 Eat Healthy & Exercise Regularly

What you eat can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. Caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, sugar and refined carbs can have a negative impact on your health. Following a balanced diet that provides your body with all the nutrients helps. Make sure to exercise regularly and stay fit too!

#5 Follow a Routine

People tend to lose track of time while coping with depression. To make better sense of the days, plan a daily routine and make sure to follow it. Having a schedule makes it easier for you to keep track of what you are doing every day.

Tackling with depression can be difficult but surrounding yourself with friends and family who care for you makes it easier. Mental health awareness is crucial to make it possible for people to come ahead and share their stories.

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