The Link Between Weight Gain and Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Andres Ayrton on Pexels.com

Mental health disorders such as depression can result from body image issues. Societal expectations about beauty influence how some people think or view their physical appearance. For instance, an individual may feel less attractive due to their complexion or body size. However, societal beauty standards are not always accurate. People struggling with negative body image issues need assurance that size, skin color, or shape do not dictate attractiveness. If one has negative feelings and thoughts about their physique, they may stop caring for themselves. For example, neglecting skincare routines or overindulging in fast food may become the norm. In the long run, individuals become depressed because their appearance worsens, and salvaging the situation is challenging.

The standards of beauty set by society affect people’s self-esteem. Most media platforms use slender models in advertisements. This move makes plump individuals feel unseen and left out. Further, many enterprises stock small, medium, and large-sized clothing. Thus, plus-size persons encounter difficulties when shopping as they cannot find fitting apparel. Also, some people make snide comments about those with weight issues. Labeling individuals as obese or greedy affect their feelings concerning their appearance (Blasco, 2020). Thus, if one tries to lose weight in an unfavorable environment but it proves challenging, they may become depressed.

There are numerous ways that persons battling mental health issues can find healing. Due to mood fluctuations, some people lack appetite and lose excess weight. However, others overindulge in comfort food. To avoid this, patients battling depression can engage in affirmation activities where they complement themselves. By so doing, an individual assures themselves that despite weighing more, they are still beautiful. Essentially, self-affirmations help in raising esteem. Patients can also attend therapy or counseling sessions to identify the root cause of the problem. Lastly, consulting the doctor enables patients to receive proper diagnoses and prescriptions.

References

Blasco, B. V., García-Jiménez, J., Bodoano, I., & Gutiérrez-Rojas, L. (2020). Obesity and depression: Its prevalence and influence as a prognostic factor: A systematic review. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(8), 715–724. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0099

Mental Health Stigma

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Social and cultural constructions inform people’s perceptions, attitudes, and viewpoints about mental health. Such perceptions gain expression in social norms and can escalate and spiral into beliefs, which societies relay through myths and labels. Over time, these negative and incorrect beliefs about psychopathology attain widespread acceptance as the truth and engender stigma against mentally ill patients. Wogen & Restrepo (2020) assert that many societies have entrenched biases and stereotypes concerning mental health because of ignorance and the dearth of professional knowledge. They have created erroneous labels and viewpoints, which act as barriers to mental health treatment and hinder mentally ill patients from attaining their full potential. These beliefs also instigate bigoted or negative attitudes towards mentally ill patients, spawn negative prejudices, and weaken familial, social, and institutional responses to mental health issues. For example, people ascribe negative tags towards mentally healthy patients, such as violent, irrational, burdensome, and inadequate.

They tend to avoid, isolate, and segregate them based on these rigid and unfounded fears and perceptions (Pescosolido et al., 2019). This perpetuates inequality and maltreatment of patients who also have to contend with the challenges of their mental health problems at the institutional level. According to Sickel et al. (2019), stigmatizing people with mental health promotes self-doubt and hinders them from seeking treatment and striving to attain their full potential. They conceal their symptoms, adopt antisocial tendencies, and ultimately seek solace in narcotic drugs and substances, among other maladaptive behaviors. Thornicroft et al. (2019) suggest strategies through which societies can counter and overturn these negative beliefs and perspectives while concurrently preventing inculcation and installation of new ones. For example, social workers can rehabilitate and avert the internalization of self-doubt among mental health patients and encourage them to seek therapy.

They can also conduct public awareness and education campaigns to counter false beliefs concerning mental health at the societal level. In addition, they can employ advocacy and lobby for implementing policies that protect and advance the welfare of mental health patients. In summary, many societies stigmatize mental health patients based on false assumptions and perceptions. This results in social stigma, discrimination, deprivation, and maltreatment. Social workers can employ diverse personal, societal, and institutional strategies to correct this situation. These countermeasures include rehabilitation and eliminating obstacles to treatment, among other efforts to help them lead fulfilling and productive lives.

References

Clay, J., Eaton, J., Gronholm, P. C., Semrau, M., & Votruba, N. (2020). A systematic review of core components of mental health stigma reduction interventions in low-and middle-income countries. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29, e164-e170.

Pescosolido, B. A., Manago, B., & Monahan, J. (2019). Evolving public views on the likelihood of violence from people with mental illness: Stigma and its consequences. Health Affairs, 38(10), 1735-1743.

Sickel, A. E., Seacat, J. D., & Nabors, N. A. (2019). Mental health stigma: Impact on mental health treatment attitudes and physical health. Journal of Health Psychology, 24(5), 586-    599.

Thornicroft, G., Bakolis, I., Evans‐Lacko, S., Gronholm, P. C., Henderson, C., Kohrt, B. A., &    Sartorius, N. (2019). Key lessons learned from the INDIGO global network on mental health-related stigma and discrimination. World Psychiatry, 18(2), 229-230.

Wogen, J., & Restrepo, M. T. (2020). Human rights, stigma, and substance use. Health and Human Rights, 22(1), 51-60.

Sadness Can Turn into Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels.com

Sadness is an emotion that manifests through sorrow or unhappiness. It can be mild or severe, depending on the cause. Typically, the loss of something considered important triggers sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one may result in sorrow. While it is normal to experience unhappiness sometimes, it may become excessive and adversely affect daily living. Overthinking, inactivity, and self-criticism due to sadness can morph into depression, and individuals must adopt interventions to salvage the situation.

There are various ways in which sadness can turn into depression. Individuals repeatedly think about bad things when having low moods. This act is due to the desire to understand the reasons behind the happenings and the intention to counter the negative feelings. Unfortunately, overthinking magnifies depressed moods (Kecmanovic, 2020). Hence, instead of dwelling on things that increase sadness, individuals should focus on what can be done about depressing events.

Often, sadness makes people inactive. For instance, some individuals neglect their activities of daily living and opt to stay in bed. While this act is meant to help one escape their negative emotions, it may spur severe depression (Kecmanovic, 2020). In essence, restricting movement and avoiding social interactions leads to loneliness, which makes one prone to this mental disorder. Thus, individuals dealing with sadness should strive to remain active.

The current state of a person may trigger feelings of sadness. Failure to salvage the situation turns this emotion into depression. For instance, one may blame themselves for missing a dream job and experiencing unhappiness. When self-criticism and perfectionism escalate, one becomes depressed (Kecmanovic, 2020). Thus, it is critical to embrace self-compassion regardless of one’s situation. Individuals can achieve this stance by acknowledging their emotions, then directing care and understanding to themselves. By extending compassion, kindness, support, and warmth to oneself, a person evades depression.

Reference

Kecmanovic, J. (2020, December 1). Perspective | how to keep your sadness from turning into depression. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/sadness-depression-stopping-getting-worse/2020/11/27/b5fa88c8-0e3f-11eb-8074-0e943a91bf08_story.html

Can Depression Affect Your Work Performance?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Many people are dealing with mental health issues in the contemporary world. Depression is one of the most common disorders and presents as a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Thus, it interferes with the performance of daily activities. The risk factors include genetic predisposition, alcohol and substance abuse, dysfunctional families, and stressful life events. Clinical interventions are required to diagnose and treat this disorder since it does not resolve after some time. Depression can affect an individual’s work performance by leading to absenteeism or presenteeism, but people can alleviate these effects by seeking medical help.

Productivity at work is critical because it determines if a person gets promotions, pay increases, and other benefits. However, it can be affected by mental health issues such as depression. This mood disorder hinders an individual from attempting or completing tasks appropriately (Johnston et al., 2019). Thus, a patient may miss work deliberately or avoid taking up responsibilities. Eventually, absenteeism may lead to the loss of jobs if targets remain unmet. Depression also results in presenteeism, whereby a person goes to work but is distracted. Lack of concentration hinders assignment completion, which indicates poor performance (Johnston et al., 2019). Hence, persons with symptoms of depression should seek professional help.

There are various interventions that people who feel depressed can seek to alleviate the situation. First, one can consult a physician to get a proper diagnosis. By doing so, they understand their current behavior and take prescribed medication. For instance, if one does not want to go to work, they can attribute the feeling to the disorder. Taking prescribed drugs or attending counseling sessions can also enable an individual to perform tasks appropriately. Lastly, understanding that depression is treatable allows one to affirm themselves and remain encouraged. Hence, taking a day at a time would help a patient to navigate and triumph over this mental health issue while retaining productivity. Depression can affect your work performance. Knowing how depression affects work will help you identify the signs and hopefully prompt you to seek treatment from a medical professional.

Reference

Johnston, D. A., Harvey, S. B., Glozier, N., Calvo, R. A., Christensen, H., & Deady, M. (2019). The relationship between depression symptoms, absenteeism and presenteeism. Journal of Affective Disorders, 256, 536–540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.041

Why Is It Hard to Focus When You Are Depressed?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Student

Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

For an individual to remain focused, they must be in an enabling mental space. Individuals who suffer from depression struggle to concentrate on critical matters due to several factors. According to Villalobos et al. (2021), mood disorders interfere with normal functioning. As such, individuals feel demotivated and do not attempt to complete daily tasks. Depression makes people unwilling to engage in any activity. For instance, a person may find it hard to clean their space or take a shower. Also, it impairs mental processing speed, thus minimizing the ability to absorb information. Subsequently, one forgets important details and appears less concerned. While this could be alarming to some people, others do not understand that one requires medical attention and remain aloof.

Depression is one of the issues that affect performance in school and workplaces. Individuals cannot focus because of mood instabilities (Villalobos et al., 2021). For instance, an individual could be in class but fails to concentrate. This aspect is known as presenteeism and presents through loss of productivity despite being physically available. In the long run, it results in stress and burnout, which worsen depression. Also, people may fail to focus due to overthinking. Depressed patients tend to focus on the underlying issue, which takes away from present happenings. Anxiety resulting from depression makes one uncertain about the future. Consequently, this affects an individual’s thoughts and leads to a loss of concentration regarding current events. While one may ignore the issues as an escape, it does not offer a lasting solution.

A patient-centered approach is critical in treating depression. As healthcare professionals work to restore an individual’s well-being, the latter should participate in several ways. For instance, one can attend therapy sessions where a mental health practitioner helps them to deal with underlying issues that lead to depression. Also, a patient can choose to live a day at a time. This move allows one to forget their problems and concentrate on critical matters. Nevertheless, patients must seek long-term solutions to heal fully and remain focused.

References

Villalobos, D., Pacios, J., & Vázquez, C. (2021). Cognitive control, cognitive biases and emotion regulation in depression: A new proposal for an integrative Interplay Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.628416

Let’s Beat Depression by Eating Healthy

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Student

Photo by Darina Belonogova on Pexels.com

There is a connection between depression and diet. Overindulging in processed and fast foods may result in this mental health issue. Aubrey and Chatterjee (2019) opine that it is critical to embrace healthy eating habits to improve outcomes. Also, individuals who mask their feelings through overeating should seek professional help and adhere to the doctor’s instructions. For example, attending therapy sessions can ascertain why a patient prefers fast foods to a healthy diet. After identifying the cause, a healthcare practitioner can advise the patient concerning the best intervention.

Overconsuming processed food increases the chance of contracting depression. An individual becomes susceptible to recurring mood swings and a heightened inability to focus (Aubrey & Chatterjee, 2019). Subsequently, these behaviors make them unable to concentrate on critical issues and affect their relationships. A person becomes withdrawn and shuns their loved ones, resulting in loneliness which could lead to depression. Thus, individuals should consume nutrient-rich foods that improve concentration and limit mood swings. Wholegrain, unprocessed meals allow one to balance vitamins, nutrients, fiber, minerals, and fatty acids. Thus, an individual stays healthy and feels good.

The type of food a person indulges in determines their general well-being. Mentally, overconsuming saturated and refined fats worsens the symptoms of depression and impairs brain function (Aubrey & Chatterjee, 2019). Therefore, one cannot make appropriate decisions and lacks concentration. An unhealthy diet also affects an individual physically. For instance, often consuming fast food leads to excessive weight gain. This aspect leads to a negative body image which affects one’s self-esteem. To alter the situation, a patient should embrace a healthy diet alongside seeking professional health.

We can beat depression by eating healthily. Ensuring that meals are balanced and eliminating overprocessed foods will enhance patient outcomes. Avoiding instances that lead to binge eating will shape our consumption habits and prevent us from contracting depression. Subsequently, healthy eating should be encouraged because it helps beat depression.

Reference

Aubrey, A., & Chatterjee, R. (2019, October 9). Changing your diet can help Tamp down depression, boost mood. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/10/09/768665411/changing-your-diet-can-help-tamp-down-depression-boost-mood

Did You Know That Depression Can Cause Your Body to Ache?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Student

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

While depression is a mental health disorder, some physical symptoms exist in patients. Some signs are gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, loss of appetite, irregular sleep patterns, and fatigue. Thus, healthcare practitioners may sometimes fail to diagnose this condition because most patients only report physical signs (Bruce, 2021). Also, individuals may not suspect experiencing this mental health issue and are surprised that chronic pain results from depression. For instance, one could attribute back pain to strenuous tasks. Hence, healthcare practitioners must conduct a series of tests to ascertain underlying issues linked to depression, including pain.

Chronic pain may lead to depression, and the reverse is true. Experts claim that continuous body aches make individuals develop low self-esteem. This aspect occurs if one cannot participate in social activities or fend for themselves. Ultimately, one becomes depressed, and prompt intervention is necessary. On the other hand, depression causes the body to ache, hence worsening a person’s mood. Bruce (2021) opines that depression magnifies pain, thus making everyday living more difficult. For instance, a patient who complains of migraines may report frequent and more painful episodes if they are depressed. Fortunately, some medications make chronic pain tolerable and relieve depression.

Besides the cause-and-effect explanation, depression and body aches share a deeper biological connection. In the human body, serotonin and norepinephrine regulate emotions and pain. Since depression is a mood disorder, if these neurotransmitters are dysregulated, a patient experiences this condition. Similarly, when norepinephrine and serotonin are interfered with, an individual feels pain. To ease aches during depression, healthcare practitioners administer antidepressants that prevent the reuptake of the neurotransmitters responsible for moods and pain (Bruce, 2021). These drugs work well and have fewer side effects. Further, they reduce the perception of pain.

Reference

Bruce, D. F. (2021, September 21). Depression and chronic pain. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/depression/depression-chronic-pain

Overcoming Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Student

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

Many people suffer from depression or its symptoms either unknowingly or knowingly. This mental health issue interferes with a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks and is accompanied by drastic mood changes. Subsequently, if you suspect you are depressed, seek professional aid promptly. By so doing, you get a proper diagnosis and commence treatment (Torres, 2020). Apart from medical interventions, you can overcome depression by focusing on what matters to you, setting achievable goals, and embracing a healthy lifestyle.

The effects of depression are severe, and patients are advised to seek treatment. By consulting a physician and getting the proper medication, you suppress the symptoms of this mental disorder. Consequently, you enjoy a good quality of life. Also, an individual can embrace psychotherapy and receive professional counseling (Torres, 2020). This move allows you to unpack what has been weighing you down. Subsequently, your mental burdens become lighter, and you can look beyond your problems.

Depression may result from one’s surroundings. For instance, if you are working in a toxic environment, you may gradually develop this mental disorder. Thus, after diagnosis, you can overcome depression by only focusing on what matters to you (Torres, 2020). For instance, you can quit your job or cut contact with people who worsen your situation. Sometimes, individuals get depressed because they set unrealistic goals. You can undo this by focusing on achievable objectives.

Lastly, embracing a healthy lifestyle is a catalyst for reducing the rate of depression. You can overcome depression by eating nutrition-dense food, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that make you happy (Torres, 2020). Some patients find comfort in fast foods that are detrimental to their well-being. If you are a victim, form healthy eating habits. Participating in sports or hiking allows your body to release feel-good hormones that lift your mood. Hence, both medical and alternative interventions will enable you to overcome depression.

Reference

Torres, F. (2020, October). What is depression? Psychiatry.org – What Is Depression? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

Depression and Pregnancy

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By Terrie Johnson| UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Amina Filkins on Pexels.com

The prevalence of depression in expectant mothers is high. This mental health disorder affects pregnant women and presents through fatigue, loss of appetite, suicidal ideation, and hopelessness, among other signs. The causes of depression during pregnancy are diverse and vary among individuals. For some people, this condition emanates from life-related uncertainties. For instance, unplanned pregnancies are stressful and often shake relationships. Thus, a woman may become depressed if her partner leaves and she is unsure if she can take care of the baby by herself. Also, one may have lost a previous pregnancy or child and is afraid that the events could reoccur. Thus, it is critical for would-be parents to seek psychotherapy before and during pregnancy to make the process smoother.

Depression in pregnant women can also occur due to pregnancy-related complications. During pregnancy, the body produces hormones that help with fetal growth. However, they are responsible for severe mood swings in some women. Negative mood changes accompanying pregnancy can turn into depression if they are not controlled. For example, one may have chronic, unexplained sadness. Failure to seek professional help results in depression because the body cannot regulate moods effectively during pregnancy. Moreover, physical pain in limbs or muscles during pregnancy can become chronic, which leads to depression.

While maternal depression can occur in patients who have never had this condition, those who have had it before are at a higher risk. According to Jahan et al. (2021), it affects fetal well-being and could result in preterm birth, low birth weight, or neurodevelopmental issues. Thus, expectant mothers should prioritize mental health by focusing on the positive outcomes of pregnancy. Regardless of the challenges, the result of pregnancy is a beautiful baby. Therefore, concentrating on what one can control protects the child and mother from physical and emotional turmoil. For example, women can engage in activities that make them look forward to having the baby, like shopping and knitting infant garments. Finally, one could spend time with other parents or attend child-care classes if they doubt their parenting abilities.

If you think you might have depression during pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about how you feel to determine your next steps. You are not alone.

Reference

Jahan, N., Went, T. R., Sultan, W., Sapkota, A., Khurshid, H., Qureshi, I. A., & Alfonso, M. (2021). Untreated depression during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17251

Stretch It Out – The Health Benefits of Stretching

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By Jessica Feagin | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Exercise is essential, but stretching is just as important. You can stretch anywhere and at any time. Stretching keeps the muscles healthy, strong, and flexible to maintain the range of motion in the joints. Stretching provides other health benefits, such as improving posture, reducing stress and body ache, and so much more.

Stretching regularly can help increase flexibility to perform daily living activities easily. Stretching increases the range of motion, giving more movement freedom. It improves physical activity performance to prepare muscles for exercise or athletic events. Regular stretching improves circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles. This increased blood flow to the muscles can decrease muscle soreness. Stretching certain muscle groups can reduce pain and improve posture. When muscles tense up related to stress, stretching those areas of the body can help with stress relief. During your stretching routine, focus on meditation exercises, giving your mind a mental break and a sense of calmness. Stretching also helps decrease tension headaches by reducing the tension felt from headaches (Lindberg, n.d.) Stretching is good for the brain, it increases serotonin levels, a hormone that reduces stress and stabilizes the mind (Payton, 2023).

According to the stretching guidelines that the American College of Sports Medicine published, stretching at least two to three times a week is recommended, targeting each major muscle group. Holding a stretching for 10-30 is recommended for most adults (ACSM Blog, 2021). Daily stretching is safe and effective as well.

It is vital to warm up before stretching to prevent injuries. Also, avoid overstretching, to which pain will be felt rather than just a slight pull. Overstretching, stretching the same muscles too often, or bouncing during stretching should be avoided to prevent injury from a strain or sprain (Geng, 2022). Stretching has many health benefits when done correctly. Let us make a daily habit of stretching. Your body and mind will appreciate it.

References:

ACSM Blog. (2021, March 18). ACSM_CMS. https://www.acsm.org/blog-detail/acsm-certified-blog/2021/03/18/stretching-and-flexibility-guidelines-update

Geng, C. (2022, March 30). 9 benefits of stretching. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/benefits-of-stretching

Lindberg, S. (n.d.). 9 benefits of stretching: How to start, safety tips, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-stretching

Payton, L. T. (2023, January 6). The mental and physical benefits of stretching: What this essential part of your workout does for your brain and body. Fortune Well. https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/06/health-benefits-of-stretching/