The mental disorder of the depression it affects everyone equally. No matter the age, sex, or social status. We can all be victims of this illness, which is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyed.
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It affects almost 4% of the world population. That is, currently, approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.
Causes and signs of depression
For psychologist Ana María Sotomayor, from the Psychology program at the University of Piura (UDEP), the causes of depression are diverse.
“There is no single factor that triggers it. The variables can be social, psychological and even biological. They can even influence the circumstances of the person, as well as some personality traits that accentuate the symptoms., says the mental health expert.
While anyone can experience depression at some point in their lives when going through a difficult phase, there are certain variables that can make an individual more susceptible to the illness.
“On the one hand, there is a hereditary component, since having blood relatives with a history of depression or personality disorders significantly increases the probability of suffering from it. On the other hand, if consumed psychoactive substances recreationally or suffers from very severe illnesses or chronic, the probabilities will also increase”, says Sotomayor.
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Signs that the person is suffering from depression
The signs that show that someone may be suffering from depression are several. The most obvious are the changes in habits, either by presenting an increase in motor activity or by manifesting a deep reluctance and lack of motivation.
“A depressed person stops enjoying daily activities and gives up doing what he liked. Weight gain or loss and lack of hygiene are also very common symptoms, as are dark thoughts and isolation from others.” adds the professor from the University of Piura.
How can we help?
Helping a person suffering from depression is complicated and can be frustrating on many occasions. However, the important thing is to be there for that person and accompany them in this hard stage.
“It is family members, friends or colleagues who should be attentive to depressive signs in order to be able to Show that person that they are not alone. Even if she doesn’t want to talk or go out, You should know that you have someone to lean on and who to count on.” said the psychologist.
This is very important, since a person with depression isolates himself, is more reactive and could begin to have inappropriate or unhealthy behaviors, so it is important to be aware.
ATTENTIVE!
We can all be in an environment in which someone may suffer from depression and have to act to accompany and support. Therefore, it is important to always have references from trained professionals who can be called upon when necessary.
Also, do not fall for the “recommendations” or suggestions from your own experience, Rather, we allow ourselves to listen and understand what is happening with that person, in order to refer them to someone who is qualified to treat them at the right time.
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