Does Quora explain depression?

This article will discuss if Quora does a proper job in explaining what depression is. Aside from that, the article will explain what Quora is, and what is a depressive disorder as it is defined by the World Health Organization as a way to compare and contrast.

What are quora? 

Quora is a community that focuses on people making a question, while others get to answer it. It is one of the most known sites for this form of interaction. Quora works like this: a person enters the website, types their question, which can be about gardening, depression, or even historic events. 

Once they post their questions, other Quora users will answer them based on their background knowledge or experience. This makes Quora a great website to learn more about some topics, for example, depression. 

But getting all of your information from Quora, especially when talking about depression, can have its ups and downs. Let’s discuss what Quora says about depression, so it is possible to compare it with what the World Health Organization says about it. 

Does Quora explain depression?

Yes, Quora has many questions and answers about depression. It ranges from pretty much every aspect of the condition. What causes it, what are the most common symptoms of it, what are the rarest, celebrities that have gone through it, and even what are ways that people can cope with it.

For example, a question that was made around what does it feel like to be depressed, and what is the importance of patience when treating it was viewed by a lot of people and generated 885 answers. This means that 885 people, who probably all went through depression, are explaining how they feel.

This is a very powerful engine. It allows people that are going through similar experiences to connect and interact. It can come as a great source of relief to feel so alone when you are in pain. 

And since depression already causes you to isolate, having those people that will not only answer you but comfort you in some way, can be extremely beneficial. It is common to see in Quora questions about people that are tired of handling depression, some even considering suicide.

But it is also possible to see how people step up and try to explain to the person in pain how this can be temporary, and what ways they can get some comfort and relief. In that sense, communities like Quora can be extremely positive. 

But as with everything online, some care must be taken. It is not everyone that uses these communities for good and in the most honest manner. Some people can use this community to spread false knowledge, and in case of depression, they can explain the condition in a stigmatized manner.

Along with that, some people may use this space to create a hostile environment for people that are going through depression. They can start to say, for example, that only a determined symptom is a sign of depression, causing people that experience it differently to feel alone and unsure of their condition and how they feel. 

That is why, although Quora can be of great help when learning more about depression, if you are going through it, you might want to look for a reliable source to help you understand it, and navigate the condition. 

Along with that, looking for information from mental health professionals can also Be important. They have studied for it, and know not only the symptoms and causes of it but also how to help you understand how it all happened in your particular situation. 

If you are using Quora as a way to learn more about depression, you might have gone through a lot of information so far, to complement what you have read already, here we will explain how the World Health Organization explains what depression is so you can add on to the knowledge you got from Quora. 

What is depression?

Depression is a mental illness that affects around 5% of the world’s population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a condition that affects mostly women, but it can happen to anyone. Depression is a multifactor condition, meaning it can happen for many reasons.

One of them is genetics, meaning that people that have a family history of depression have a higher chance of getting depressed. Along with that, people that are experiencing a traumatic situation can develop depression easily. 

Those traumatic situations can be the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even if a person is going through a financial or legal problem. Aside from that, depression can have a biological factor to it, and it can happen when a person has a chemical imbalance in their brain.

According to the WHO, a person can be considered depressed when they experience its symptoms for longer than two weeks. And even though there is a vast range of symptoms of depression, not everyone will experience all of them. 

Depression is usually seen as intense sadness that causes the person to lose interest in all aspects of their lives. It can cause them to feel empty, hopeless, and without any energy. Along with that, it can make it hard for people to focus. Depression can also cause other symptoms such as:

  • Change in eating pattern
  • Change in sleeping pattern
  • Irritability
  • Isolation
  • Fatigue
  • Self-harm
  • Thoughts of death and suicidal thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Does Quora explain depression? 

Is there an end to depression? 

Yes, there is an end to depression. Although it can seem hard to imagine once you are going through it, your depression will improve through treatment. And even though depression doesn’t have a cure, as you get into remission, you will be able to get back the control of your emotional life.

What you need to keep in mind, doing those hopeless times, is that depression is not a choice. But it isn’t also something permanent. The same way you weren’t born manifesting depression, it won’t go on forever. Make sure to care for your mental health, and be surrounded by people that support you, and in time you will feel better.

What are the forms of depression? 

Depression can manifest itself in many forms, and the intensity of it can vary according to the form of depression the person has. There are mild depression, moderate depression, major depression, and persistent depressive episodes.

In all of them the symptoms are similar, what changes is the intensity of them, and how long they go on. In mild depression, the symptoms are usually not so intense and can be dealt with mostly with lifestyle changes. 

Mild depression goes on for a short amount of time, and it is usually a response to a traumatic event, all of this makes it one of the hardest ones to diagnose. As for moderate depression, it can be easier to diagnose because it generates some impact on the person’s life. 

They can go on for a little longer, and the intensity of the symptoms can make it harder for the person to maintain their life as it used to be. In these cases, therapy can be of great help, and some people also use medication to treat it.

Major depression is the most intense form of depression. In it, the symptoms are pretty severe and people may have difficulty doing everyday activities. Sometimes even getting out of bed can seem impossible, so their work and relationships are profoundly affected by the condition. 

Major depression usually goes on for around 6 months, and to treat it is often needed not only therapy but medication. Along with the usual depressive symptoms, major depression can also lead to delusion, hallucinations, and psychotic episodes. As for persistent depression, it is a form of depression that can go on for around 2 years. 

During this period the person will experience moments of mild depression and major depression. This makes it extremely important for people to be in treatment. So they can change their medications according to their state, but also so that in therapy they can create strategies to handle the mood swings.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a depressive disorder that happens when a person is impacted by the changing of the season. It can happen when it changes from summer to fall, which is the most common, or from winter to spring. 

It can cause people to feel less energetic, which makes them not want to do things, causing isolation, and sadness. It can be related to some vitamin levels, or if the person has a previous depressive disorder, they can develop SAD easier. 

To treat it, there are forms of light therapy that can be done, and therapy is also a great way so the person can handle their emotions better so they won’t be so intensely impacted by the changing of the seasons.

Can a mentally ill person live alone? 

Yes, a mentally ill person is completely capable of living alone. What needs to be considered is how their mental condition presents at the time, and how it can change over it as well. But if they are stable and capable of caring for themselves and their needs, it wouldn’t be a problem for them to live alone.

What their support network can keep an eye on, that will show them when it is time to have someone living with them, is how they are taking care of their hygiene, finances, and of the house itself. If people with mental illness start to experience crisis periods, they will most likely withdraw from caring about those things. 

And it is at that time that the family might want to offer some help and support without being overbearing.

What is a fuzzy brain?

The fuzzy brain is a condition in which a person may become confused, forget things, and feel unable to focus. This can be caused due to lack of sleep, overwork, stress, or spending too much time in front of a computer.

It can also be related to bad eating habits and toxins. To handle it one may want to live a healthier lifestyle, by eating and sleeping better. Along with that, they can exercise, find some ways to manage their stress level and try to have a more positive outlook on life.

Conclusion 

This article explained how users of Quora connect and explain depression, what are the upsides and downsides of this community. Along with that, the article explained what Quora is, and how depression is explained by the World Health Organization.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write it in the section below.

References

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/what-is-quora-why-should-you-care/379341/

C. Rughiniş, B. Humă, Ş. Matei and R. Rughinis̆, “Computer-supported collaborative accounts of major depression: Digital rhetoric on Quora and Wikipedia,” 2014 9th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI), 2014, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/CISTI.2014.6876968.

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