Depression - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Depression is a medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair. These feelings do not go away by themselves. They are not necessarily related to a particular life event.

Causes of Depression

Depression is an extremely complex disease. It occurs for a variety of reasons. Some people experience depression during a serious medical illness. Others may have depression with life changes such as a move or the death of a loved one. Still others have a family history of depression. Those who do may experience depression and feel overwhelmed with sadness and loneliness for no known reason.

Some types of depression do seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser degree, severe major depression. Studies of families, in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder, found that those with bipolar disorder have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who are not diagnosed

Environment. Environment is also thought to play a causal role in some way. Environmental causes are situations in your life that are difficult to cope with, such as the loss of a loved one, financial problems and high stress.

Chronic stressors, such as living in poverty, having family difficulties, or having serious medical problems or living with someone who does. Older adults who move from an independent lifestyle to one that is more dependent upon others often experience depression.

Physical or chemical - depression is caused by changes in levels of chemicals in the brain. For example, your mood can change as hormone levels go up and down. This is often seen in women as it is associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, and the menopause.

Depression Symptoms

Significant changes in weight when not attempting to gain or lose (a gain or loss of 5% or more in a month) may be indicative of depression. In children, this may also present as a failure to make expected weight gains.

Many people with depression don't have the typical symptoms. Learn about the causes and treatment of atypical depression, with symptoms that include weight gain, sleeping too much, and feeling anxious.
Postpartum Depression

Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).

How is it treated?

Severe depression is a complex illness that should be treated by professionals who are familiar with all of its manifestations. A complete clinical evaluation will include a physical examination, a medical and psychiatric history, and a mental status examination.

Electric Shock Treatment

Electric shock treatment, or ECT, for depression is used for severe depression or when depression medicines fail to work. Find out more about ECT and who might benefit most.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy, and counselling, are examples of talking treatments. You normally have a fixed number of sessions - usually 6-8 sessions over 10-12 weeks. Some GP practices have counsellors specifically to help patients with depression.