Depression can kill; yes, it does!

I am sharing this thread to be an eye-opener for everyone.

Depression has no face, age, status, or signs. Hence, even kids or adults can experience Depression. But what is Depression? And why is it becoming prevalent among teens and adults nowadays? I'd try to explain it thoroughly.

According to World Health Organization: "Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration."

And based on the DSM-5: "Depression, otherwise known as major depressive disorder or clinical Depression, is a common and serious mood disorder. Those who suffer from Depression experience persistent sadness and hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Aside from the emotional problems caused by Depression, individuals can also present with physical symptoms such as chronic pain or digestive issues."

So those are the description of Depression based on the WHO and the bible of the Psych majors, which is the DSM-5. But let's try to explain Depression in a much simple way. Depression is something that our naked eyes cannot see. Depression is something very critical.

In most straightforward words, Depression is a traitor. We often thought it was just a simple sadness, lack of aspiration, or eagerness to do things we used to love. Despite that, if we see that this is self-destructive and that we cannot function well, it's not normal anymore.

Based on my Abnormal Psychology states that a behavior is abnormal when behavior is unusual, behavior is socially unacceptable or violates social norms. Perception or interpretation of reality is faulty, the individual is in severe personal distress, the behavior is maladaptive or self-defeating, and the behavior is dangerous. So when you know that your sadness or lack of interest in things that used to matter to you, you may be suffering from Depression. Sometimes those people who suffer from Depression don't have an idea that they are already experiencing it. So how could we know if it's already Depression? Based on DSM-5, the symptoms should be consistently present for 12 or more months.

What are the leading causes of Depression? (But I advise you to consult a licensed Psychiatrist or Psychologist so you can get the proper treatment as soon as possible.) Depression has two factors one is environmental, and two is biological.

The environmental factors of Depression are Abuse, Other personal problems, Death or a loss, and Major events. These are the things we encountered in the past and our current issues.

For the biological factors: Genetics, Serious illnesses, Substance abuse, Certain medications, and Conflict. These physical factors are one of the reasons why we suffer from Depression.

Some people suffer from Depression because of the changes in our brain chemistry and hormone levels. Low serotonin levels can lead to Depression; that's why some people are suddenly getting anxiety attacks and then later on Depression without any further explanations. There are a lot of factors on why we experience Depression. It's hard to explain, but let us not give up and let it win. Some people must help and support us. Let us be someone's support system because we should not be battling alone.

Remember that when you know someone suffering from Depression, let us not give up on them. It's not that easy battling with Depression, more importantly, if you don't have someone to rely on and can't get any support from those around you. Sometimes it could lead to suicide.

When you know someone who's battling Depression, then all of a sudden, they become acceptable. They're giving life a chance (a second chance) for it to become okay, and they're weighing things if they will continue to live or end it. Please, check up on them.

So if you have a friend who became alright after months of Depression, don't let them feel alone. Be their guiding hand. Yes, it can be tiring to understand and tell them they are not alone but don't give up on them. After those trials, they can see how worthy life is.

So in this stage, if they suddenly feel okay, it doesn't necessarily mean they are fine. Once a depressed person becomes abruptly fine, it only means that they have already accepted things. They will continue to accept and get exhausted from fighting for their lives, and in this stage, if they can't see the reason to continue striving for life, they will attempt suicide. It is like, their second chance in life.

It's either they will carry on with life or not. That's why some people seem joyful before they end their lives. Depression can kill, and suicide is their only escape. But let us stop that way of thinking.

Let us help them so that you can still see their smiles. Don't let remorse take over us; if there is something that we can do to support and guide them, then let's do it. We can still save them from their sufferings and sorrows. We can fight this together.