Depression is one of the most common health problems occurring today. The fast pace of lifestyles, the need to adapt to peer pressure and various psychological problems all lead to depression. Instead of close knit joint families today the nuclear family is becoming more common leading to isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly. This also causes depression especially in senior citizens i.e. depression in the elderly.
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Causes of depression
Peer pressure
One of the largest culprits of depression in school or college going children is peer pressure. The constant need to excel in school or college academics or be ‘cool’ and hip amongst fellow students can place tremendous pressure on the mind of a child or a young person. Often the tendency is to compare one’s personal attributes and traits with fellow students and this can lead to severe inferiority complex. Gradually, such feelings manifest into depression in children and in severe cases even suicidal tendencies.
Isolation and loneliness
Most often older people in the family are sent away to old age homes or other places because children cannot take care of their aging parents. The sudden separation from the family can lead to a feeling of extreme anguish and sadness. Besides this, the person begins to feel lonely, inferior and not worthy of other’s affections. In addition to these conditions the vagaries of old age also begin to take their toll. Brittle bones, joint pains and the declining ability of the body to sustain itself can also cause a rise in elderly depression.
Derogatory remarks
Each child has his or her own individual threshold of sensitivity. Very often in school teachers or parents may unknowingly make derogatory comments on their children. They may not realize it and may treat it as a harmless remark passed only in jest. However, for the child it could represent an indelible remark that will damage his or her way of thinking for an entire lifetime. It is vital that both parents and teachers understand how sensitive children are to such remarks and refrain from making such comments.
What is needed?
Help for depression: When a near and dear one is suffering from depression what is needed the most is love and care. These persons need to have the assurance that you are there for them. In addition, such persons must never be left alone and there must always be support and help at hand. Family support is crucial in such situations and often the help and unwavering faith in the person can overcome the biggest of hurdles.
Depression symptoms
Depression usually begins in small and fairly unnoticeable ways in a person. At first, the person could start by avoiding coming to work. In the case of a child he or she might not want to go to school. A general tendency is to become reclusive and not talk to others around. These are signs that something is wrong and the person needs help. You can do your bit to help such persons suffering from depression. Just keep a close watch on such symptoms and immediately report it to a doctor should you notice them.
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