Depression Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Depression is a state of mind which is characterized by a negative sense of inadequacy and a visual lack of activity. It is a listed mental disorder which includes altered mood. It may occur daily associated with diminished interest or pleasure in most or all of the activities. Depression is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. It is often associated with unemployment and poverty. It can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, HIV, asthma, and some other medical illnesses. It is a normal response to loss or misfortune. It affects people of every color, race, economic status, or age; however, it does seem to affect more females than males during adolescence and adulthood but the reason for this female predominance is unclear. It can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30.nnSymptomsnnSymptoms can include sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy, change in weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, thoughts of death or suicide, dramatic change in appetite, fatigue and lack of energy, feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt, extreme difficulty concentrating, agitation, restlessness, and irritability, inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.n nCausesnnThe understanding of the nature and causes of depression has evolved over the centuries, though many aspects of depression remain incompletely understood and are the subject of discussion and research. Psychological, psycho-social, evolutionary and biological causes have been proposed. It is not always clear which factors are causes or which are effects of depression; however, depressed persons who are able to make corrections in their thinking patterns often show improved mood and self-esteem. Before diagnosing a major depressive disorder, a doctor generally performs a medical examination and selected investigations to rule out other causes of symptoms. Moreover, it often assumes various disguises, which causes depression to be frequently under diagnosed. nnDepression may be brought on by: alcohol or drug abuse, childhood events like abuse or neglect, chronic stress, death of a friend or relative, disappointment at home, work, or school (in teens, this may be breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, failing a class, or parents divorcing), drugs such as sedatives and high blood pressure medications, medical conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cancer, or hepatitis, nutritional deficiencies (such as a lack of foliate and omega-3 fatty acids), overly negative thoughts about one's self and life, self blame, and ineffective social problem solving skills, prolonged pain or having a major illness, sleeping problems, social isolation (common in the elderly), and empathy to another person. Depression affects not only the individual but also those around them, their families, their colleagues and friends and causes abnormal functioning and pain.nnTreatmentnnTreatment will vary according to the cause and severity of your depressive symptoms, as well as your personal preference. Treatment for depression can include talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Treatment in the hospital may be needed if you have other medical conditions that could affect your treatment or if you're at high risk of suicide. Treatment can help you return to your "normal" self, enjoying life. Treatment can help prevent depression from coming back. Treatment is essential and support from doctors, therapy groups and friends and family, a necessity. nnThe three most common treatments for depression are psychotherapy, medication, and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for people under 18, while electroconvulsive therapy is only used as a last resort. Antidepressant medication treatment is usually continued for 16 to 20 weeks after remission, to minimize the chance of recurrence. nnNatural treatment for depression includes water therapy. Please visit http://solo0629.blogspot.com/2009/01/water-to-cure-depression.html for details.n