subject: Depression Symptoms And Treatment [print this page] Depression is a medical condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest due to mental stress or other problems.
Symptoms of depression-
Common symptoms of depression include:
Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
Irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
Reduced sex drive
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Changes in appetite
Agitation or restlessness
Irritability or angry outbursts
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration
Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren't going right
Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
Crying spells for no apparent reason
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Depression affects every person in a different manner so the symptoms may vary from one person to another. Inherited traits, age, gender and family back ground play a major role in how depression may affect.
Symptoms in children may include:
Sadness, irritability, hopelessness and worry
Anxiety, anger and avoidance of social interaction
Changes in thinking and sleep
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Schoolwork may suffer in children who are depressed
Symptoms in older adults
Fatigues, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex
They may feel dissatisfied with life in general, bored, helpless or worthless.
Suicidal thinking or feelings in older adults is a sign of serious depression
Causes of depression-
The exact cause of depression is not known. With much mental illness, it seems that a variety of factors may be involved. These may include:
Biological differences: Those with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance is still uncertain but may help in pinpointing causes.
Neurotransmitters: These are naturally occurring brain chemicals which are linked to mood. They are thought to play a direct role in depression.
Hormones: Imbalance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result from conditions such as thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.
Inherited traits: Depression is more common in people whose biological family members also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find out the genes that may be involved in causing depression.
Life events: Various life events, such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems, and high stress, can trigger depression in some people.
Early childhood trauma: Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause permanent changes in the brain that make the person more susceptible to depression.
Treatment of depression-
There are many treatment options available to manage depression. Treatment such as medication and psychological counseling are very effective for most of the people.
Medications
Types of antidepressants include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
Atypical antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Other medication strategies such as stimulants, mood-stabilizing medications, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic medications.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Hospitalization and residential treatment programs
