SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
Behavior becomes disordered when certain signs and symptoms begin to manifest. Sometimes, they appear for a while and disappear, it get to a point they begin to interfere with the individual’s life. One fact about depression is that it is not a one night event, it accumulates over time, it starts coming slowing and we hardly notice that our actions are becoming somehow distorted and harmful.
However, the following are some of the observable signs and symptoms, though they vary from individual are usually noticed.
1. Consistent or severe headache even after a period repeated drug intake could be cause.
2. Lacks of appetite, many soon develop anorexia nervosa, strange eating or binge eating due to physiological and psychological disturbances.
3. Sleeping disorder- ranging from insomnia, sleep-wake syndrome, parasomnias or sleep apnea. Our sleep circle become so disturb that sometime we hardly find it easy to sleep, even when we sleep we don't sleep enough.
4. Frequent report of tiredness, fatigue, even the smallest task will require a substantial effort. Most people complaint of weak libido or sex drive, loss of motivation.
5. Lack of interest or pleasure in nearly all form of social activities and even relationship, from courtship to marriage. This is a vivid evidence for the increasing rate of divorce or broken homes.
6. Lack or poor emotional drive (weak libido) even if such person forces himself in sexual activities, ha will soon reach orgasm and never regain sexual stimulation. In women, they experience poor sexual response or disturbance in sexual circle. It goes to the extent of interfering with their menstrual cycle. This is because emotion has a strong correlation with our physiological functioning Dr M. Ezenwa (2009).
7. Mood disorder is usually reported by many, according to Dr Jeremiah Okolie quoted in Nigeria Tribune 12th Oct 2010, rapidly manifesting a persistent feeling of sadness and/or rapidly changing mood without any clue as to what make him sad, angry or moody, in children, there is reports of whining or excessive weeping.”
8. Disturbances in interpersonal relationship, depressed victim have a marked disturbances attributed to the altered mental state of the individual. The presence of hallucination, delusion and dissatisfaction as well as distortion in self-image which in turn affect their psycho motor.
9. Many individual report cases of impair vision, negative thought and perception that mostly result in suicidal thought, sense of pessimistic. The Nation Newspaper of Sunday 31 October 2010, “A retiree commits suicide over loss of income.”
10. Sometime there are cases of reported aggression manifested by the individual as a result of frustration and intra-psychic conflict in which the individual tries to release tension or display such anger on the third party.
10. Sometime there are cases of reported aggression manifested by the individual as a result of frustration and intra-psychic conflict in which the individual tries to release tension or display such anger on the third party.
NOTE: An individual does not manifest all the above signs and symptoms except in a severe case or major episode of depression where it is clinically proven.
Apart from the above explanation, manifestation or symptoms varies in term of;
5. Atmospheric condition etc.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION:
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION:
1. FRUSTRATION: When are not able to satisfy a motive or desire frustration sets in. people feel frustrated for many reasons, particularly when a set goal is hindered psychologically or physically.
Frustration comes in various ways:
(a) Those who engage in sexual relationship or marriage because of sex. Research has shown that those who go into marriage principally because of regular assurance of sex are usually worst victims of frustration. Those who engage in business activities without proper planning and design and with hope of making profit at all cost.
(c) (b) Those who use their hard earned money to trained their children expecting the best from them, only to find them in maladaptive or anti-social behaviors. These happened when such parent have so much love for them.
(d) Those who get into public or political offices with the wrong perception and wrong motives and lack of general sense of belonging.
(c) accident victims are likely to experience depression mostly when the individual is not giving the proper attention and care. They may be subjected to various forms of thoughts such as rejection, being burden to others, mostly when the individual is working.
2. THE ROLE OF BODY CHEMICALS:
Body chemicals here refer to bio-chemical substances in the body of an organism and their significant role in or physiological and psychological functioning and mental state. Such bio-chemical include:
(a) Neurotransmitter: It has been found that several neurotransmitter play major role on how we act, feel, think, behave, learn, sleep and many more, yet these role could be injurious to our physical and mental health.
For instant, dopamine which correlate with movement and learning, too much of it could cause schizophrenia while too little leads to Depression.
Norepinephrine is associated with eating, alertness. However, too much of it associated with depression, too little with schizophrenia.
Epinephrine involves in energy and glucose metabolism, but too little of it could lead to depression.
Serotonin plays a major role in mood, sleep, appetite, and impulsive and aggressive behavior. However, under secretion is associated with depression and some form of anxiety disorders. It is one of the major reasons why most persons manifest mood disorder, sleep disorder, eating disorder.
Note: These associations are mere correlation, other variables that may affect the neurotransmitter and mental illness are not yet known. The issue of body makes up and functionality is another important factor when considering the role of neurotransmitter in mental health like depression, for detail click on www.allpsych.com/psychology/biopsychology
