What is depression?

Today, many young people commonly experience feelings of anxiety, stress and depression. How to recognise and deal with these issues is an important step towards developing a healthy mind.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition whereby a person may experience feelings like sadness, numbness, irritability, tiredness, loss of interest in activities, over a period of time.

What causes depression?

There are many causes of depression. Sometimes the symptoms of depression come on a person gradually or sometimes they come on the person quickly. It can develop for different reasons and there could be many different triggers. Some of the causes could include:

• stress at school/work - about grades or relationships or meeting deadlines

• financial pressures

• emotional trauma - like bereavement due to the death of a loved one

• experiencing a serious medical illness

• Family history

• Family break-up

• Limited work/life balance

• The misuse of alcohol/drugs

QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED ON THIS

Write down one cause of depression. (1mark)

Death of a loved one

Explain two causes of depression (4marks)

Stress at school: The constant pressure to perform well and manage deadlines can overwhelm a person, causing feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. (2 marks)

Bereavement: The loss of a loved one can lead to intense sadness and grief, which may develop into depression if the individual struggles to cope with the emotional pain. (2 marks)

You should also read:

Consequences of depression

Dealing with depression