Does Depression Have A Physical Cause?

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Depression is classed as a psychiatric illness, and rightly so. For the majority of sufferers, chronic depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in their brain. This causes a mood disorder, with the most common symptom being a persistently low mood and feelings of anhedonia.

While depression awareness has risen over the past few years, it’s still a relatively misunderstood and misused term. Perhaps the biggest misconception is that depression is only caused by a few wonky hormones and unbalanced brain chemistry - when it can actually have a very physical root.

Depression As A Physical Ailment

The reason that depression is so often treated as a purely mental thing is that its primary symptoms are mental. That’s what makes it a mental illness, after all. While there are occasionally physical symptoms of depression, these tend to be found in more advanced cases, and are often overridden by the impact the illness has on mood.

So it’s easy to see why the physical causes of depression are overlooked. If you were to immediately jump to looking for physical causes of depression, then it’s akin to hearing hoofbeats and immediately assuming it’s zebras rather than the far-more-likely horses.

But sometimes, it might just be zebras after all.

Depression As A Symptom

Depression is not always an illness that is self-contained and in and of itself; it can sometimes be a symptom of physical health conditions. Most commonly, depression is a symptom of deficiency.

This makes sense. If your system is deficient in something, then it’s not going to be able to run on full power. Something has to give; and it’s far easier for your body to prioritize physical health over mental health, so depression is the end result. 

There are a variety of different deficiencies that can lead to depression. Vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with the condition; the same is true of Vitamin D. Then there are minerals such as calcium, with hypocalcemia listing depression as one of its most common symptoms. 

These deficiencies are relatively easy to treat when you know you have them. A calcium supplement can change your life for the better in a variety of ways with very little in exchange; AlgaeCal side effects are next to non-existent, and it’s a great boost of calcium. The same is true of B12 and D vitamin supplements; next to no side effects, but plenty to be gained from taking them. 

How Do You Find Out If You Have A Deficiency

If you suspect a physical cause for your depressive issues, then the only way to be sure if this is the case is through a blood test to ensure you’re getting what you need from your diet. Express your concern to your doctor and they should order one for you.

Depression is a terrible illness that can blight lives, which is why investigating potential physical causes should be part of the diagnostic process. However, it’s often overlooked, despite the fact the medical link is well known and established. There is no harm in having a blood test just to check and see if something is amiss, so press your doctor until you are furnished with the information you need.

Now that we have talked about some of the symptoms and onsets to depression, there are many ways for you to get started on the road to recovery. The first step would be speaking with a clinician who is a specialist in helping people suffering from the many symptoms depression can cause. You can learn more about depression at thrivetalk.com.

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Your Rights Pave The Way To Recovery

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Recovering from a traumatic event takes time and support. Not everyone can bounce back. Most people experience severe depression during the recovery period. Indeed, as you learn to get better — whether your suffering is the result of physical or emotional pain – you get to spend a lot of time thinking about what happened to you and living the same situation over and over again.

Your recovery is first and foremost a mental journey. Indeed, you might find that you need to tackle stress and anxiety issues. Don’t ignore these. Your mental health is precious and ignoring issues don’t make them go away. On the contrary, they establish themselves stronger every day. Most of those who are trying to heal choose to tackle their fears through therapy and a positive and loving environment. However, dealing with post-traumatic stress and worries is only half of the battle. When you’ve been injured – physically or psychologically –, you can develop a feeling of vulnerability as a response to an unfair situation. Your self-confidence is shattered. And, if you don’t claim your rights back, you can fall into a victim mindset. Your rights are the way to recover your mental strength.

You’re entitled compensation

First of all, you have rights which are designed to protect you. Consequently, when you suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence or fault, you can and should be defended after a personal injury or another claim of a similar nature. What this means is that you don’t have to pay for something you didn’t do. The recovery process is long and painful enough. But making your rights known and respected ensures that you can regain your dignity and self-worth in the process. Indeed, you shouldn’t feel guilty for someone else’s mistake, nor should you let them get away without taking responsibility for the event they caused.

Don’t suffer abuse in silence

Discrimination, hate speech, and racist abuses are, unfortunately, everyday occurrences. More recently, a passenger of a low-cost flight was filmed insulting an elderly woman. The man, who has been identified by his neighbors – after they’ve seen the video on social media – has been named and is currently undergoing investigation for his behavior. Authorities have come together and demanded an explanation from the airline company as to why they failed to remove the abusive passenger. Supports from all over the country have gathered online on behalf of the victim. The video – which was taped by another passenger – brings a new dimension to the recovery process. Nobody has to recover on their own, and the victim here is receiving messages of support from all over the world every day.

Ignoring your rights is dehumanizing yourself

Your rights are not only part of a legal book. They define you as an individual. The moment you refuse to acknowledge that your rights have been violated, you authorize others to break you. When you do, you describe yourself as somehow less worthy and human than others. Ignoring your rights is the highest form of dehumanization. You matter, and so do your rights.



The recovery process is a long and painful journey, during which you need to rebuild your confidence and strength. The journey begins with making your rights respected because your rights bring protection, empathy, and humanity to your journey.

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Health Conditions Millennials Need To Look Out For

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The Costs of Screen Time

Millennial’s are the first generation to grow up with technology by their side almost from birth. They’re switched on to the digital world in a way that older people can’t understand. While there are benefits to this - studies have shown that millennial’s are better at critical thinking and multitasking - there are some downsides; chiefly, the effect that screen time has on the eyes and wrists. You need to take breaks every 20 minutes or so to keep your eyes in tip-top condition and learn how to type properly to avoid the problems of repetitive strain injury. If you’re using a laptop, get a Bluetooth keyboard and raise your computer up so you have the correct posture.

In the Ears

Older generations would gather around a record player or wireless radio and listen to music every once in a while. Millennial’s are plugged in all the time, and they’re playing music way too loud. As a result, there has been a sharp rise in hearing-related problems among young adults, specifically tinnitus, which produces a constant ringing in the ears. While prevention - in the form of turning your music down - is the best option, there are effective tinnitus relief options for people who are already suffering. It can be enjoyable to crank your favorite track to the highest volume, but don’t forget that your poor ears might not appreciate it in the long-term!

Overall Fitness

As millennial’s grow up during an age when outdoor play gave way to playing on consoles indoors, many haven’t developed the core physical fitness needed to stay healthy. As such, a significant portion - somewhere in the region of 40% - of millennial’s are overweight, and around 70% will be by the time they’re 35. It’s much easier to get into shape while you’re young, so make the most of that gym membership before it’s too late.

Alcohol-Related Issues

There’s no getting around the fact that alcohol is an issue for all generations, and actually, young people are generally drinking more than older generations, and when they do, they’re going big. There can be serious consequences for those people who are downing shot after shot; the body is not meant to take in that much alcohol in such a short period.

Mental Health Concerns

It’s possible that the world has always had mental health concerns, and that we’re just talking about it more now, but studies do suggest that issues such as social media, a tough job market, and an increasing emphasis on one’s looks might be responsible for more mental health troubles. If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or anything else, then reach out: there are many avenues of support and since it’s more of an accepted issue, you don’t need to worry (as much) about a negative stigma.

Millennial’s and Sugar

Millennial’s are pretty good at eating healthily: we’re the ones who brought kale and quinoa to the public’s attention, after all. But some damage may already have been done. They grew up when a time when sugar was king, when cereals and other daily mainstays had far too much sugar in them. They were delicious, sure, but they may have produced unprecedented problems with our teeth. Keep an eye on yours to ensure they’re always pearly white and strong; you’ll need them for a long time.

If you’re going to be a big player in the 21st century, then it seems like you’re going to have to contend with some of the issues above! The good news is that if you’re aware of them, then you can at least control your actions to reduce the chances of them happening.

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Tips For Living With A Mental Illness

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Most of you may know that I am currently working on my doctorate in Clinical Psychology, so it is only right that I touch on the subject of mental illness because although we are living in 2017, it is still a subject of taboo for some, especially when it comes to different cultural groups. Dealing with mental illness is hard, not matter the degree. It's a very difficult issue to deal with because unlike other problems that are physically visible to the people around you - struggling with mental illness is very easy to hide, which makes it even more dangerous.  

It was once overlooked because people just put it down to attention seeking, and because of this people tend to be really frightened about opening up, but it's the year 2017, there's no need to feel like that anymore. There are so many different ways to get help, manage and improve how you feel on a daily basis.

While there are many severity types that span the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, for those who are able to cope with their symptoms a bit better than others, here are a few tips that will help you to keep a healthier perspective on things.

 

Focus on your strong points, but be aware of your limits.

You may not get as much done as maybe other people would, because you will be facing a lot of different things that cause you stress. But this shouldn't be seen as a negative thing. Because of all this, you are most likely very good at being patient, and patience is a great skill to have.

When having a mental illness, for some reason people tend to be quite creative. It doesn't always work out that way, but in some cases of Autism especially, people usually have great attention to detail and use their brain to store it full of knowledge and information. You would be surprised as to how many actors, musicians, and artists are actually Bipolar (manic-depressive.)

Don't look at yourself as being strange. You are unique in your own way, and that isn't because of your mental illness - it's because you're a human being. So put your attention and energy onto all the wonderful traits that you - and only you - can offer this world.

 

Get yourself the treatment you need.

There are far too many suicides that go on because people feel as though it's the only resort. The pain that it causes to feel that alone, dealing with such an issue that makes you so low that you don't want to be in this world with the people that love you. - That's a very dangerous spot to be in. That's why it's so important to seek medical help and discuss what the best treatment will be for you. - You don't have to suffer in silence or go through it alone. There are plenty of support that will give you all the information that you need to find what's best for you. You may find that going on medication that balances your mood is necessary, or talking to someone about exactly how you feel everyday is a more suitable option. Some people even find that herbal vaping or aromatherapy for health issues can help sooth and relax things like depression, anxiety, and even mood swings. So it really is just about discussing options and finding something that you agree to.

 

Get support but don't let it consume you.

It's very easy to feel like the odd one out when you're with a group of people, whether you know them or they’re just complete strangers - you know how you're feeling, and that’s pretty much all you’re able to focus on. Your mind is most likely racing with one thousand and one different things going on in your head all at the same time. If you're anxious, this will be ten times worse. Even if no one is looking at you, you will feel that this is specifically for a reason, and you will be analyzing everything like crazy!

Going to support groups for your illness can be amazing, because you're essentially in a room with all other people dealing with the same issue. Although it may feel as though you're on your own at first, the more times you go, and the more you open up - you will learn so much, not only about others, but yourself too. Groups are there to remind you that you're not weird, and you can find comfort in the idea that you will always have a place to go.

But having said that, don't use your illness as a crutch or an excuse to hold you back, or take the easy option out without having to push yourself. Sure, it may be a lot harder for you, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

 

Don't allow anyone to treat you badly.

For some strange reason, a lot of people that deal with a mental illness are deemed weak by other people. For example, if people are aware that you're a little different, unfortunately, most people will treat you different - even though you never asked them to do that. People may also try and take advantage of you because you are seen as an 'easy target'... Don't let them do this to you, however much they try. You're not someone that can be messed with, or someone that should just put up with silly things because 'you're different'. Don't ever feel like you need to settle in a relationship, or be silent in a conversation because the other person is trying to enforce some sort of power over you.

 

Finding work isn't impossible

If you're generally quite up and down, then searching for a more flexible job will be best. This may be freelance work, working from home, or if you're lucky, working for someone that is able to give you clear instructions, somewhere quiet to work in, and time off when you need it.

It's very easy to think that not mentioning your illness is a better route because it won't restrict you from the kind of work that you get offered - but don't do this. Your employer needs to know if you're not well. - Not so that they can judge or pity you - but just so they have a better understanding of things. Especially if you do have to take multiple days off, or shorten your hours.

 

Take responsibility for your actions.

Just because you may be a little different, doesn't always mean you get special treatment. For example, if you're in the company of others, whether that be family, friends or even strangers, - if you have a really bad day, and you lose your temper and get quite angry and aggressive - once that is all over and done with, you have to think about the possibility that you may have affected anyone while they were in your presence. Yes, it is horrible having to deal with emotions like that, but it's also horrible to see someone unraveling and losing control right in front of you, and you are not able to do a thing. So ask them if they're alright, and apologize for breaking down like that.

The same thing goes for if you made plans with people, and then end up changing your mind.  Don't just bail on them, let them know in advance so they're not left looking forward to something all week for nothing. You would like someone to take your feelings into account, so do the same for others.

 

Find the people that will accept you for you.

Friendships can be very hard to keep when you are dealing with a mental illness. We can all have the odd ‘good day’, which is great, and your friends may love to hang out with you. But then the day will come where you feel as though that dark gray cloud has positioned itself right above your head, and all you can feel is the weight of the rain hitting down on you. On days like this, your friends may not want to be around you, because they can't deal with how you are. - Let them feel this way. If they don't feel comfortable with you on your 'off' days, then you shouldn't want to feel comfortable around them either. That's why we have so many different people that come into our life - they all have different purposes. You just have to either be patient, or find someone that can be with you on a good or bad day regardless.

Relationships can be a lot trickier, not so much to find - but to maintain the relationship. Whether it be a few days, few weeks or few months of trying to act as 'normal' as you possibly can, you are sooner or later going to have to breathe and be yourself. - It's very scary, but how do you know you've met the right person if they haven't yet met you properly? You don't want to find out later down the line that you wasted eight months of your life, hiding a big part of yourself, trying to be the 'perfect' partner, only to find out they were a super idiot!

What about the people who are selfish and only like the sound of their own voice, or people that always think they're right and are never willing to compromise? - If they can all manage to find a relationship and keep a healthy one going - then you have absolutely nothing to worry about!

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