Depression is a serious mental health condition wherein a person experiences many symptoms, including loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and other activities. It is a common disorder that affects an estimated 5 percent of all adults worldwide or approximately 280 million people.
It is debilitating. It can harm a person’s life. Those who have it function poorly in school and work. It also causes problems within their families and social circles.
Depression is known as an illness, but it can also be a sign of other health conditions.
Your Thyroid and Your Mental Health
It may not be obvious, but there is a link between your physical and mental health. So much of the processes that take place within your body influence your mind. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that if there are changes that occur within the body, the mind will be affected as well.
The endocrine system is a network of glands located throughout your body that are responsible for releasing hormones. These hormones help the cells communicate with one another, assisting the normal function of every part of the body.
The thyroid glands, in particular, are responsible for the release of thyroid hormones which are behind a lot of things, including the rate at which your heart beats, calories are burned, food moves through the digestive tract, and cells are replaced. The thyroid hormones also lower and raise body temperature and control how and when the muscles contract.
When the thyroid glands’ hormones produce less than what the body needs, it can cause depression.
Any imbalance of hormones within your body triggers a whole litany of symptoms, many of which affect your mental health. So, when your thyroid glands are underperforming, you are at a higher risk of mental health disorders, especially depression.
People who are depressed do not necessarily have hypothyroidism, and depression is only one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. But, to address depression of hormonal imbalance, you must first find an effective treatment for your thyroid issues. A doctor can prescribe a medication that will restore the balance of your hormone levels and improve your mental health.
Depression in People with Dementia
It is also possible for people who have undiagnosed dementia to experience symptoms of depression.
A previous study investigated the link between dementia and depression. The researchers found that people who were depressed later in life had a 70 percent increased risk of having dementia. Meanwhile, those who had depression since their middle ages were 80 percent more likely to develop dementia.
Often, older adults mistake symptoms of depression with normal signs of aging. However, depression is very common among seniors. In addition, the signs of depression such as loss of interest in hobbies, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, and confusion are very similar to dementia.
It is best to speak to a doctor or a psychiatrist about your experience. They can determine whether you have dementia or depression (or both) and recommend an appropriate treatment plan for both health conditions.
Depression as an After-Effect of COVID-19
Scientists found that COVID-19 infection can leave behind a slew of symptoms that persists months after initially testing positive for the illness. One of the long-term effects of COVID-19 includes depression.
A recent report found that 18 percent of all patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had an 18 percent higher risk of developing a mental health issue, including depression, within three months of diagnosis.
Meanwhile, a separate survey discovered that those diagnosed with COVID-19 experience insomnia, anxiety, post-traumatic disorder, and depression.
Since COVID-19 is still fairly new, the link between infection and depression is still vague. Scientists are unsure why patients experience mental health issues after battling the illness, but they have a few theories.
COVID-19 is a deadly disease that has already claimed the lives of millions of people around the world. It is also very contagious, which means that people who have it worry that they might have passed it on to their loved ones. Moreover, it forces those infected to stay home and self-quarantine for at least 10 days which may mean that, for the duration of their illness, they might not receive payment because they could not go to work.
Depression is a common disorder, and many people across the world suffer from it. While it is an illness of the mind, it can also be caused by conditions that affect the physical body, i.e., depression and many physical health conditions are interrelated.
It is also seen that depression and many other mental health disorders are caused to the person who is addicted to substances like drugs or alcohol. If you notice any of your loved ones are suffering from this type of condition, then it is advisable to visit the nearest rehab center. They can treat both mental health disorders and addiction issues and give the person a new and better life.
