Sudden sadness, feeling down, losing interest or pressure in daily activities are a few familiar symptoms to us all. But if these symptoms persist more often and affect your life substantially, it may be depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.6 percent of people over the age of 12 have depression in any 2 week period.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common illness worldwide and as they estimated, around 350 million people are affected by depression globally.
Before we start discussing its symptoms and effects, let us talk about the age group affected with the problem of depression:
Age
Male (%)
Female (%)
5-14
0
0
15-29
35
36
30-49
39
18
50-69
29
11
70 & above
32
11
Symptoms of Depression
Mood swings
Low memory
Dizziness
Low appetite or weight gain/loss
Insomnia
Worse effects of depression
Brain damage
Risk of heart disease
Loss in memory
Risk of suicide
Reckless behavior or self-injury
Diet tips for Depression
2-3 cups of chamomile tea in a day
Deep breathing exercises & yoga
Spirulina & salmon fish oil capsule
Black coffee, peppermint tea, lemon water, sugar-free yogurt
Foods rich in Neurotransmitter – almonds, walnuts, dark chocolates, eggs
To know more about the disease and ways to reduce the risk, consult Dietitian Aqsa Afzal