Why Am I So Depressed?
While occasional feelings of depression are a normal part of life as people can feel sad or hopeless at times, especially during times of high stress or loss, depressive disorders involve more than just temporary feelings of sadness or hopelessness that do not go away but can get worse over time and interfere with daily activities such as work, school, and relationships.
Depression affects almost 1 in 10 Americans. According to a recent article in the U.S. News & World Report, between 2015 and 2020, incidence of depression reached 9% among Americans 12 and older. Among teens and young adults, the depression rate stood at 17% in 2020, the researchers found.
Depression is not a one-size-fits-all disorder as it can greatly vary based on intensity, duration, and high/low cycles.
Research has identified several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial including brain chemistry to socioeconomic status.
Despite how uncomfortable depressive disorders can be, the good news is that they are treatable using psychotherapy, medications, and general measures such as relaxation techniques and improved self-care.
Take action today to reach out to a mental health provider to learn more about treatment options that are available to you. You don’t have to suffer alone anymore.
Check out the video below to learn more about depression and what you can do to deal with it.