According to the World Health Organization, about 350 million people around the world are affected by depression. It plays a pivotal role in how people think, feel and act and can impact physical health and other aspects of life. Going through depression is no easy task. Some of the physical symptoms of depression include aches and pains, nausea, bloating, weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and appetite and weight changes. With the help of over 200 scientists affiliated with the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, a new study was conducted. A new genome-wide association meta-analysis has identified 44 genomic variants that have a significant association with major depression - 30 of which were previously unknown. This study helps us understand that even though environmental factors play a role, genetics increases the chances of depression in people. However, you can be on your guard and reduce your chances of depression by sleeping for a minimum of 8 hours, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, filling your mind with positive affirmations, being creative, and getting help if you need it. Depression and sleep have a bidirectional relationship, and people suffering from depression may find it difficult to fall asleep during the night. Psychological treatment plays a key role in treating depression, and many studies have helped prove it can help. The success of psychological treatment depends on factors like the severity of your symptoms, your relationship with the therapist, and your circumstances. There are mainly four types of therapies offered. The therapy approach that aims to change behaviors and attitudes, work on current problems, and find concrete solutions is called cognitive-behavioral therapy. Analytical therapy focuses more on past experiences and the aim is to find possible causes of the person's psychological problems. Depth psychotherapy is a therapy that focuses more on current conflicts. Systemic therapy is based on the assumption that relationships between people, especially those within the family, play an important role in the development and treatment of depression. All four approaches are offered by psychotherapists with a background in psychology or medicine. Many studies have shown that people with depression benefit from psychological treatment. In conclusion, depression is a complex heterogeneous disease based upon multiple factors such as genetic, social, psychological, biological at various levels, and the inheritance from maternal or paternal is of crucial importance in concerning the severity of the disease.
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