Can Depression Last Forever?

a depressed man is wondering if depression can last forever Depression is a mental health condition that affects person’s mood. However, depression is not a temporary mood oscillation. It is a serious mental health condition that causes numerous emotional, cognitive, social and physical difficulties.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the leading reasons for disabilities globally today. It affects all age groups. Still, women seem to be more affected by this mental health condition than men.

What Causes Depression?

If you struggle with depression symptoms, you might be asking yourself what caused your depression symptoms, and more importantly, can depression last forever?

There is a wide range of factors that can trigger depression. In order to give an answer to the question can depression last forever, it is important to early recognize and address what causes depression.

Some of the most common factors that can initiate the development of depression symptomatology include chronical illness, genetics and physiology factors, life events, and psychological factors.

Chronical Illness

Chronical illnesses, and especially those that last for longer period of time can cause depression. Chronical illness generates a great amount of stress and anxiety that consequently lead to depression. For example, people battling different forms of cancer, multiple sclerosis or HIV/AIDS can be at high risk of developing depression.

Genetics and Physiology Factors

It is known that depression sometimes runs in the family. The family history of depression may increase the risk for a particular person. However, the hereditary factor in depression is not proven to be straightforward.

It is believed that a person may inherit a gene for depression that may or may not develop due to certain life situations.

According to some theories, depression is caused by an imbalance of the chemical substances called neurotransmitters, precisely, serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. Imbalance of these brain chemicals is believed to trigger depression symptoms.

Life Events and Psychological Factors

brain This group of factors includes different life events and more importantly, our perception of them. The most common stressful life events that can trigger depression include the death of a loved one, divorce, miscarriage, job loss and financial difficulties…

…In addition, the extreme life events such as a traumatic event or abuse in most lead to depression symptoms.

However, sometimes it is not a certain life event that causes depression, but our mental interpretation of it. Negative thoughts and wrong conceptions can lead to depression since almost every situation becomes interpreted as discouraging or potentially dangerous.

Depression is a complex and draining mental health condition. The number of symptoms, their severity, and the treatment carried out are some of the most important factors to consider when asking yourself can depression last forever.

Although serious, depression is in many cases a successfully treated condition. There are many therapy options and self-help alternatives available to help you cope with depression.

Here’s the deal:

In many people who struggle with depression, symptoms remain untreated, leaving them to suffer for years, and for some, an entire lifetime. Some of the possible reasons for not seeking help may be a shame or fear of being stigmatized or judged by their social surroundings not willing to seek professional help.

Look:

If you suffer from depression symptoms, keep in mind that you are not alone. More than 300 million people suffer from depression around the world nowadays. Furthermore, some of the greatest minds of our past battled depression for most of their lives.

Famous historical figures who suffered from depression

The world remembers Michelangelo for his incredible statue of David and the breathtaking ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Yet, it remains less known that this great artist suffered from depression for most of his adult life.

As Michelangelo grew older, his depression seized him. He stopped working and even burned many of his drawings.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, that many consider the greatest musical genius ever, was known for his melancholy, lack of energy, guilt, and depressed mood.

Similarly, Vincent Van Gogh, another great artist of our past was believed to suffer a lifetime depression and bipolar disorder.

This shows that depression is definitely not a modern world disorder. It also illustrates that in some cases depression may last forever.

Nevertheless, today we have an understanding of this mental health condition and different treatments for it. This helps people cope with it more successfully than ever through our past.

Depression Treatment

There are numerous depression treatment options available. However, the most effective treatment for depression symptoms includes psychotherapy and medications, usually combined together.

The most respected psychotherapy options for depression include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy. Depending on the case, a blended psychotherapy approach may be used.

Medications used to treat depression symptoms are called antidepressants. They work balancing neurotransmitters in our brain, which helps relieve the symptoms of depression.

There is a variety of antidepressants available and they need to be prescribed by a doctor.
In addition, there are other alternative depression treatments offered, such as relaxation therapy, meditation or homeopathy.

However, a very important role in depression treatment has a lifestyle change and it should always be tried as the first step or used as part of a treatment.

A lifestyle change can include anything from regular daily exercise, mindful meditation practice, and different stress reduction strategies to building a strong social system of support.

These changes can make the treatment of your symptoms more successful and prevent your depression from lasting forever and very often even cure you completely from any mental mood dissorders.

Happiness Protocol

If you are suffering from mood issues then we highly recommend you read our powerful happiness protocol.

It has helped numerous people overcome depression, myself included. It is just an article, doesn’t cost anything and you owe it to yourself to read about it.