Depression is a mood disorder that causes constant sadness and loss of interest. Depression is also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

Depression 

The feelings, thoughts and behaviors of individuals suffering from this condition are affected and various emotional or physical problems may arise due to this. You may have trouble doing normal daily activities, and sometimes life can feel like not worth living. Depression is not just a feeling of malaise or momentary weakness. Depression is also not such a simple problem that it can be solved in an instant. Depression is a treatable medical condition that requires treatment. This treatment process may take a long time in some cases.

Most individuals with depression can recover as a result of ongoing treatment with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.

Depression usually begins in the 20s or 30s, but can occur at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression. The reason for this is thought to be more common in women seeking medical help.

Reasons

What Causes Depression?

It is not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, several factors can be involved:

Depression appears to be influenced by hereditary factors. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have the condition. Studies are ongoing to identify genes that may cause depression.

People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. How significant these changes are is still unclear, but researchers believe they will help pinpoint the causes of depression.

Changes in hormone balance can cause depression. Hormone changes can occur during pregnancy and in the weeks or months after childbirth, thyroid problems, menopause, or a number of other conditions.

Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research shows that changes in the function of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play an important role in understanding and treating depression.

With this:


Low self-esteem and certain personality traits such as being overly dependent, overly self-critical, or overly pessimistic.

Traumatic or stressful events such as physical or sexual abuse, death or loss, a difficult relationship, or financial problems

Genetic relatives have a medical history of alcoholism, bipolar disorder, depression, or suicide.

The environment around lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people is not supportive.

Presence of other mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder

Heavy alcohol, smoking or drug use

Serious or chronic illnesses, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease

It has been observed that the use of certain medications, such as high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills, increases the risk of developing depression in individuals.

Depression gets worse if left untreated, leading to emotional, behavioral, and health problems and complications that affect every aspect of an individual's life.

Overweight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes

Pain or physical illness

Alcohol or drug use

Anxiety, panic disorder, or social phobia

Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems

Social Isolation

Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide

early death.

How to Prevent Depression?

There is no sure way to prevent depression. However, it is important to take steps to control stress and strengthen self-esteem by increasing resilience. One of the most important steps to take to help prevent depression from getting worse is to start treatment at the earliest signs of the problem.

Especially in times of severe crisis, it is necessary to reach family members and friends to overcome difficult times. Finally, long-term maintenance therapy should be considered to prevent recurrence of symptoms.


Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Depression can occur once in an individual's lifetime, or in some cases multiple times. During any bout of depression, various symptoms are present most of the day. These symptoms may recur every day throughout the process:


Sadness, crying for no reason, being empty, or feelings of hopelessness

Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, self-blame over past failures

Problems thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things

slowness in thinking, speaking, or moving

Outbursts of anger, irritability, or frustration over even the smallest matters

Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as hobbies, sports, or sex

Decreased appetite and weight loss or increased cravings and uncontrolled weight gain

anxiety, agitation, or restlessness

Unexplained physical problems, such as back or headache

Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Sleep disorders, including insomnia or sleeping too much

Fatigue and lack of energy, even the smallest tasks require effort

These symptoms are often severe enough to cause noticeable problems with daily activities such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others for many individuals with depression. Individuals may feel unhappy or hopeless, often without knowing why.


What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Children and Teens?

While the signs and symptoms of common depression in children and teens are similar to adults, there are a number of differences: Signs of depression in young children include sadness, irritability, constant trying to be together, anxiety, aches for no reason, refusal to go to school, or weakness. Symptoms of depression in teens include sadness, irritability, negative thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, anger, poor performance at school, feelings of misunderstanding, hypersensitivity, drug or alcohol use, overeating, irregular sleep, self-harm, interest in normal activities loss or avoidance of social interaction.

What are the Symptoms of Depression in Old Age?

Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be taken lightly. Depression is rarely diagnosed in older adults, so its treatment is relatively rare.

Elderly individuals may hesitate to seek help. Signs and symptoms of depression in older individuals may differ or be less pronounced than in younger individuals. Among them:

Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or loss of interest in sex not due to a health condition or medication use

Memory difficulties or personality changes

Suicidal ideation or intense feelings of death, especially in older men

An effort to stay at home instead of socializing or doing new things

Physical pain or feelings of pain that have no medical cause.

Diagnostic Methods

How Is Depression Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of depression usually begins with a physical examination. During the physical exam, the doctor may ask questions about the individual's health. In some cases, depression may be linked to an underlying physical health problem.

Laboratory tests may then be required. The doctor may do a blood test called a complete blood count or test the thyroid gland to make sure it's working properly.

The next step is a psychiatric evaluation. The mental health professional asks questions to learn about their symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. The individual may be asked to complete a questionnaire to help answer these questions.


What Are the Types of Depression?

The symptoms caused by major depression are different for each individual. Medical professionals look for various markers or traits that clarify an individual's type of depression. A marker or feature may indicate the presence of a particular type of depression:


Anxiety distress:  unusual restlessness or depression with worry about possible events or loss of control

Atypical features:  Depression with temporary euphoria, increased appetite, excessive need for sleep, hypersensitivity to rejection, and a feeling of heaviness in the limbs.

Mixed traits:  high self-esteem, and energetic mania concurrent with depression involving too much talk

Catatonia:  Depression with uncontrollable motor activity and aimless movements or with fixed and rigid postures.

Melancholic features:  Depression with a cooling in response to something that once brought joy, depression with worsening mood, weakness or agitation upon waking up early in the morning.

Seasonal features:  Depression triggered by seasonal changes and less exposure to sunlight.

Peripartum onset:  depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks or months after birth, i.e., postpartum

Psychotic features:  depression accompanied by delusions or hallucinations of personal inadequacy or other negative

Getting a correct diagnosis for depression is important for appropriate treatment. Other medical problems also include depression as a symptom.

Among them; bipolar disorders include cyclothymic disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or use of certain prescription drugs.