What is Depression?

Anyone can feel down from time to time or experience bouts of emotional grief or sadness due to some unexpected life event. For instance, they grieve when someone dies, or feel the sadness and loss when a close relationship ends, or even lose a job.

All these feelings are normal and are part of the ups-and-downs of life. But clinical depression is more than just the blues, more than the expected grief after any loss, and most certainly more than a bad couple of days.

Depression is a deep and dark state, a black hole that may seem impossible to emerge from, and a serious medical condition involving a delicate balance of brain chemicals. Unlike a bad mood that you can simply snap out of, depression can severely disrupt the ability to function properly and can extend through every aspect of your life with serious consequences.

Signs of depression may include feeling somewhat flat, tired and unmotivated. As it progresses a person with depression may no longer want to participate in social activities or hobbies that they once enjoyed.

Eventually individuals with depression may even lose the drive to work altogether, their relationships become strained and they push people away and become unreachable, and the will to live a happy, productive life slowly fades.

Although the future for someone suffering with depression may look bleak, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – depression is treatable and those suffering can live a happy, normal life.
 

Who Suffers from Depression?
Depression can affect anyone, although it tends to affect twice as many women as men and typical age of onset is 25. Sadly, it is becoming more prevalent and the age of onset is decreasing over the years.

As a result childhood depression, adolescent depression and suicide rates are on the increase. The fortunate news is that if treated, depression can be managed successfully and happiness need not be an unreachable illusion.
 

Diagnosing Depression
If you suspect you are suffering from depression, make an appointment to see a psychologist or your family doctor. You will be asked for a detailed description of your symptoms, how long you have had them and how this is affecting your daily life.

A medical check is advised as signs of depression may be similar to other medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. If your first appointment was with your medical doctor, you may be referred to a mental health practitioner who will be able to further assess the situation and inform you of your treatment options.
 

Symptoms of Depression
Depression is characterized by the loss of interest or pleasure in most previously enjoyed activities, as well as a depressed or sad mood felt most of the day, nearly everyday. It can be felt as hopelessness, feeling empty, or tearful. Perspective is also often altered, and the person suffering from depression may view life differently, and seem isolated from the rest of the world, unable to make a connection. Along with this, signs of depression usually include some of the following:

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling physically slow, agitated, or restless to the degree that others begin to notice
• Physical complaints such as headaches, joint pains and stomach aches
• Low self-esteem, feeling worthless or excessively guilty
• Low libido or diminished interest in sex
• Suicidal thoughts, or continuous thoughts of death and self-harm

*For a formal diagnosis of Clinical Depression to be made, most of these symptoms need to have been present most of the time for at least two weeks.
 

What Causes Depression?

Causes of depression include:

Genetics – Genetic disposition is one of the leading causes of depression. Studies have shown that people who have relatives with a history of depression are two to three times more likely to develop depression themselves. There is also a strong genetic link between depression, anxiety and panic disorder.

Brain chemistry – Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and certain hormones such as the stress hormone cortisol have been related to depression. Depression often occurs when the delicate balance of these brain chemicals is disturbed resulting in a general imbalance in other neurotransmitters.

Stressful life events – As mentioned above, the stress hormone cortisol is particularly related to the neurotransmitters involved in depression. A stressful life event such as loss of a job, a loved one, marital problems, or financial issues can trigger an over production in cortisol resulting in depletion of serotonin and depression. People are especially at risk if they do not have the necessary social support.

Learned helplessness and cognitive styles – Is the glass half empty or half full? Depression can result if an individual is inclined to view the world in a negative light. With a pessimistic outlook on life, even the small things become major catastrophes, and the inner critic can become over-bearing. These people often expect the worst and hardly ever see the positive side to a situation. They often assume the blame when things do go wrong and attribute it to self failure. Certain experiences can also teach an individual that they have little or no control over life events and are thus helpless. These ideas are often learnt and make us more vulnerable to developing depression.

Childhood trauma or poor parenting may contribute to disturbances in emotional development and vulnerability to depression in adulthood.