Depression is not due to a single cause. Generally, it is rather the result of a combination of factors such as an imbalance of brain chemicals, family history, thoughts or beliefs that increase the risk of depression and highlights of traumatic or stressful nature.
The presence in too large or too small quantity of substances responsible for sending messages in the brain is also tipped as one of the contributing factors to depression. These chemicals also help regulate our emotions, our behavior and thoughts. The way we perceive the world and what happens to us, can also contribute to depression.
Depression has a genetic component (i.e family history). While the tendency to depression may be genetically inherited, the onset of depression can be caused by many factors.
Among the triggers of depression include:
The presence in too large or too small quantity of substances responsible for sending messages in the brain is also tipped as one of the contributing factors to depression. These chemicals also help regulate our emotions, our behavior and thoughts. The way we perceive the world and what happens to us, can also contribute to depression.
Depression has a genetic component (i.e family history). While the tendency to depression may be genetically inherited, the onset of depression can be caused by many factors.
Among the triggers of depression include:
- painful or traumatic events (such as the loss of a loved one, a romantic break, a dismissal);
- medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, lupus, hypothyroidism, chronic pain and some forms of cancer;
- the use of certain drugs, including corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, narcotics, benzodiazepines, progesterone (contained in some female hormonal pills) and illicit drugs such as amphetamines;
- alcohol, which has a depressing effect of short and perhaps even long-term.
It is important to recognize that depression is not a state which we can "fix" ourselves, and it's not because of personal weakness or lack of will to deal with the situation .
Symptoms and Complications
Although sometimes we all felt the sadness, the diagnosis of clinical depression (major depression) is placed when a person observes at least five of the symptoms listed below (one of them must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in relation to daily activities) most of the time for at least 2 weeks:
Symptoms and Complications
Although sometimes we all felt the sadness, the diagnosis of clinical depression (major depression) is placed when a person observes at least five of the symptoms listed below (one of them must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in relation to daily activities) most of the time for at least 2 weeks:
- depressed mood (sadness);
- loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities against;
- a change in appetite or body weight changes;
- fatigue or lack of energy;
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or an excess of chronic sleep;
- noticeable changes in the level of activity (anxious agitation or slowed reflexes);
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt;
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions;
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Other symptoms of depression may occur, including:
- loss of interest in work and other activities;
- a withdrawal of avoiding family members and friends;
- irritability;
- a tendency to cry easily;
- hallucinations (perception of phenomena that do not exist in reality);
- irrational beliefs (false ideas contrary to reason);
- muscle and body pain, such as headaches, joint pain or abdominal pain (some people these symptoms rather than a feeling of sadness).
Clinical depression can be of varying severity. In its extreme form (eg. If suicidal thoughts), it can pose a danger to life and therefore requires immediate medical care.
The symptoms of other forms of depression, although they are generally lighter, can still have negative effects on daily activities and quality of life of a person.
The symptoms of other forms of depression, although they are generally lighter, can still have negative effects on daily activities and quality of life of a person.
You can read here about major depression treatment, or here about major depression symptoms