Depression (also called clinical depression, major depression, or major depressive disorder) is a mood disorder that negatively impacts how a person feels, thinks, acts, and copes with everyday life.
The top 5 symptoms of depression may include:
- Persistent sadness or “empty” mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
- Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering
- Thoughts of harming yourself, death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- If you or someone you know are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential.
Other symptoms of depression may include:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Pessimism
- Persistent anxiety
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Irritability
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Restlessness or difficulty sitting still
- Changes in appetite and/or weight
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that are not relieved with treatment
What Causes Depression?
There is usually not just one cause of depression. Clinical depression is an imbalance in brain chemistry, but the cause is often a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Risk factors for developing depression include:
- Genetics: depression often runs in families
- Personality type
- People who are easily overwhelmed, have low self-esteem, pessimistic, tend to worry a lot, are perfectionists, or are very sensitive to personal criticism
- Environmental factors
- Exposure to neglect, poverty, violence, or other trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Brain changes
- Differences in neurotransmitters or hormones, and activity in parts of the brain
- Certain illnesses
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Lifestyle factors
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Major life changes
- Relationship problems
- Poor sleep habits
- Lack of exercise and proper nutrition
- Working too much
- Some medications
What Is the Treatment for Depression?
Even severe cases of depression can be treated, though it can take time, and trial and error to find the right treatment for each patient.
Treatments for depression include:
- Medications
- Antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotic medications
- Psychotherapies
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Problem-solving therapy
- Brain stimulation therapies
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- Light therapy
- Alternative approaches
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Nutrition
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https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-cube/202004/four-types-depression
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
https://pulsetms.com/depression-issues/depression-and-environment/