Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It is not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved in depression they are as following:
1. Biological differences: People with depression appear to
have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is
still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
2. Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring
brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. changes in the function
and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits.
3. Hormones: Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be
involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with
pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from
thyroid problems, menopause, or several other conditions.
4. Inherited traits: Depression is more common in people whose
blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes
that may be involved in causing depression.
Factors that seem to
increase the risk of developing or triggering depression are Certain
personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent,
self-critical or pessimistic, Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical
or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or
financial problems, Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar
disorder, alcoholism or suicide, History of other mental health disorders, such
as anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder, Being
lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or having variations in the development
of genital organs that aren't clearly male or female (intersex) in an
unsupportive situation, Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs, Serious or
chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease.
Depression often gets worse if it is not treated, resulting in emotional,
behavioral and health problems that affect every area of life. Examples of
complications associated with depression include, Excess weight or obesity,
which can lead to heart disease and diabetes, Pain or physical illness, Alcohol
or drug misuse, Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school
problems, Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia, Social isolation, Suicidal
feelings, suicide attempts or suicide, Self-mutilation, such as cutting,
Premature death from medical conditions. Common signs and symptoms of
depression in children and teenagers are like those of adults they include:
In younger children, symptoms of depression
may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches, and pains,
refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
In teens, symptoms may
include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor
performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely
sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol.
Depression, even the most
severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more
effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy,
or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms,
electroconvulsive therapy and other brain stimulation therapies may be options
to explore.
Reference:
American
Psychiatric Association, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression,
Accessed by, November 8, 2020
Everything you want to know about depression, https://www.healthline.com/health/depression, Accessed by, November 8, 2020
National institute of mental health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index, Accessed by, November 8, 2020
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