5 factors that affect depression
Affect depression-Depression is not only caused by traumatic events. Unbeknownst to us, there are some everyday habits that affect their development. Do you know them?
In this opportunity we share the most common.
Depression has been categorized as a mood disorder. Those who are depressed feel a deep sadness, as well as irritability, loss of interest in life and changes in behavior. Do you know the factors that affect depression?
The origin of this condition can be biological or circumstantial. It is said to be caused by changes in brain chemistry, either due to hormonal imbalances, environmental factors or the stimulus of a given situation. However, it could also result from some habits.
Factors that affect depression
It is important to keep in mind that not all periods of deep sadness correspond to depression. A person can go through sad and traumatic events without experiencing symptoms so severe as to be diagnosed with depression.
This disorder has been classified as a serious medical condition, because it can have a fatal outcome when it does not receive adequate treatment. The quality of life of the patients is drastically reduced, to the point of feeling incapable of doing their daily activities. Even, sometimes, it influences the development of other health problems.
Because it is such a complex disorder, there is no single cause to explain its origin. In fact, dozens of factors that affect depression have been identified. The most worrisome is that many of them are overlooked, since they are part of the lifestyle of people. Discover them!
Poor feeding
The consumption of junk food has been associated with greater health problems, including among them, increased susceptibility to stress and depression.
Poor nutrition has a lot to do with mental health problems, including depression. While it is easy to ignore, bad diets can cause alterations in the nervous system and brain chemistry. For example, regular consumption of fats and junk foods is associated with increased susceptibility to stress and depression.
Although momentarily they produce a certain sensation of pleasure, they can affect changes in hormonal activity, detonating these conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to eat a healthy diet, rich in sources of omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Factors that affect depression: Sleeping badly
To have a good quality of life, the ideal is to sleep between 7 and 8 hours a day without interruptions. During this time, the organism carries out a series of processes that it cannot do at other times of the day. Therefore, when there are sleep interruptions or problems sleeping, several negative reactions are experienced.
In this particular case, it should be noted that insomnia and sleep disorders are closely linked to depression. In fact, there are studies that suggest that people who do not sleep well have up to 10 times more risk of having depressive episodes compared to those who sleep properly.
Use social networks
Recent studies have observed a correlation between the abuse of social networks and depressive behaviors.
In recent years, several investigations have been made regarding the use of social networks and mental health disorders. A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, concluded that there is a causal link between the use of social networks and problems such as depression and loneliness .
Factors such as constant social comparison or bullying explain these effects. Although its moderate use does not usually have major impact, staying on these platforms can be negative. Therefore, the general recommendation is to establish limits or reduce their use.
Factors that affect depression: Consume alcoholic beverages
The abuse of alcoholic beverages can cause alterations in brain activity, causing or worsening episodes of depression. Alcoholics cannot fulfill their work and family obligations, which can influence this disorder.
The most worrisome is that when alcoholism and depression come together, addiction is more difficult to quit. Therefore, those who have both problems must have constant professional and family support, going to therapies.
Toxic work environments
The work environment exerts a significant power over our state of mind, which can negatively affect it.
Many patients affected by stress, anxiety and depression are constantly subjected to tense or toxic work environments. What does this mean? Well, those are work environments where there is harassment, overwork, low pay and difficulty in having healthy relationships with colleagues or bosses.
All this is causing uncontrolled psychological level, because excess stress increases the segregation of cortical and other chemicals. To avoid this, simple strategies can be applied: take breaks to rest, avoid the excess of work to the maximum and set the workplace with relaxing music and aromas.
Do you recognize these factors that affect depression? If it is your case, start taking measures to try to avoid them. Do not forget that depression is a serious issue that requires professional treatment. If you are experiencing your symptoms, seek help.
Anxious disorders
In the second place are the anxious disorders , which affect between 7 and 10% of the population , which is enough,” says Pablo Salinas, a psychiatrist and academic at the University of Chile.
The most frequent are the Generalized Anxiety Disorders The symptoms have to do with many factors that generate stress , such as the relationship with other people and the crowds on the street, among others.
Salinas adds that people with this disorder feel fatigued, have sleep disorders, muscle tension, headaches, neck aches, feel nervous, have a startle , and sometimes have sweating.
It also ensures that if anxiety is very strong, those affected feel nauseated or have diarrhea. It is very common for these people to develop irritable bowel syndrome, which used to be called irritable bowel syndrome.
They are not able to relax or concentrate; they have a constant fear of leaving the house, complicated situations and making decisions.
Drug and alcohol addiction
According to WHO, addiction is a physical and psycho-emotional illness that creates a dependency or need to a substance, activity or relationship. It is a progressive and fatal disease, characterized by continuous episodes of lack of control, distortions of thought and denial of the disease.
To be able to talk about physical and psychological dependence, people must have a strong desire or need to consume the substance , difficulties to control such consumption, withdrawal syndrome by interrupting or reducing consumption, tolerance and the progressive abandonment of interests unrelated to the consumption of the substance. substance, among other symptoms.
Tamale indicates that addiction is a very serious disease due to the impact it has on mental and physical health.
Addictions are causing the figures of depression and bipolarity to rise even higher, because they produce metabolic changes in the brain that make diseases more difficult to treat , and with more social repercussions and brain damage.
The treatments
Both specialists agree that for all these disorders the treatment can be pharmacological and therapeutic or a sum of both.
When they are mild pictures, psychotherapy is the recommended treatment , but when the disorder affects daily life, the treatment is pharmacological.
In addition there are the general measures that contribute to prevent mental illnesses, such as physical exercise, maintain an appropriate diet, control weight, avoid obesity and maintain adequate hours of rest and sleep.
Doctors advise that when recognizing some symptoms it is important to talk with someone you trust and go to a specialist to find out what disorder is affecting us, in order to start the treatment as quickly and as timely as possible.