What is depression? According to The Signet/Mosby Medical Encyclopedia depression is defined as an emotional state in which there are extreme feelings of sadness, dejection, lack of worth and emptiness. The obvious signs range from a slight lack of motivation and failure to concentrate to severe changes of body functions. Endogenous depression (also called major depression episode) has symptoms ranging from a stubborn unhappy mood to feelings of no worth, and thoughts of death or suicide. Agitated depression features severe worry and restlessness. The patient may have to be protected from self-injury. Patients who do not respond to treatment with drugs are sometimes given electroconvulsive treatments. Although the Signet/Mosby Medical Encyclopedia is frank in its definition, electroconvulsive treatment is very rarely used and only in the most extreme cases.
Cause
There are two primary types of depressive disorders, major depression and dysthmia. The symptoms mentioned above are characterized as major depression. What causes depression? The cause of depression can be hereditary, drug-related, hormone imbalance, or diet. Depression can also result from diseases such as nervous system disorders, infection, or cancer. Depression has no single cause; often it results from a combination of these. Some of the more common causes are:
- family history in which genetics play an important part. Depression can run in families for generations.
- trauma and stress, stemming from financial burdens, the break-up of a relationship, death of a loved one, even starting a new job, graduating from school or getting married can cause depression
- pessimistic personality. People with low self-esteem or a negative outlook are more at risk of becoming depressed.
- physical conditions including serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression
- other psychological disorders that people already suffer from, i.e., anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia and especially substance abuse often appear along with depression.
Whatever the cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes that occur in the brain. These changes are connected to a chemical imbalance that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
