Surprising Depression Triggers You Should Know About

NiNi

We all need to be vigilant about taking care of our mental health. Mental health issues affect around one in four people in their lifetime which means if you don’t end up dealing with mental health issues, someone close to you certainly will. While some triggers for depression are obvious, there are those which are less so, Being able to spot the signs can help you or someone you care about the help they need as soon as possible.

Seasonal changes
There is a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. This type of depression is caused by changes in the seasons. SAD is most common in the winter when a lack of sunlight can cause people to become depressed but some people do experience it in the summer as well. That's why it’s important that if you suffer from periods of depression, you should look for any patterns that could explain why you are feeling the way you do.

Untreated hearing loss

As we get older, many of us will start to experience a degradation in our hearing. This is something that can usually be treated with hearing aids and other medical interventions. However, if you have untreated hearing loss, it could cause you to become depressed. Because you will not be able to hear as well, it can leave you frustrated and isolated from your friends and family. That’s why taking good care of your aural health is so important.

Smoking
We all know that smoking is bad for our health. It can cause lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and many other physical issues that anyone who smokes would do well to give up.  What is less known is that smoking can also be a causal factor in depression.  Studies have shown that smoking and depression are inextricably linked. Unfortunately, giving up smoking is also linked to an increase in mental health issues, probably due to nicotine withdrawal. Due to all the other health benefits, quitting smoking is the way to go.

Thyroid issues

If you have an underactive thyroid, there may be a strong chance that you will also experience symptoms of depression, So many people are diagnosed with depression and treated only with anti-depressants when what would really help them is thyroid medication, So, if you’re depressed, but you’re also experiencing classic signs of thyroid disease, such as fatigue and weight gain, be sure to have your doctor check your thyroid levels.

Social media
According to several studies, spending too much time on social media can lead to symptoms of depression. It can cause you to make unfavorable comparisons between yourself and others and it can also affect your sleep. You can also become addicted to the social media and lose focus on your own life. All of these factors can combine to make you feel depressed. Put the phone down and do something else once in a while.

To avoid depression, it is important to notice the triggers and take action as quickly as possible.

This is a contributed post.
Photo: QQ

2 comments

Jackie Harrison said...

Great information I learn so much from this post. Thanks

Ivana Split said...

great info about depression triggers