The normal ups and downs of life are common in daily living. It is when prolonged emotional depression becomes chronic and affects one’s ability to function in society that it becomes classified as a more serious clinical depression. In other words, it is a mental illness that results in constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest. Depressed individuals find it hard to handle day-to-day activities and often times feels that life is not worth living.
On the basis of signs and symptoms, depression is categorized in the following categories:
- Atypical Depression
- Postpartum Depression
- Bipolar Depression (Manic Depression)
- Major Depression
- Seasonal Depression (SAD
Causes of Depression:
Depression is not just the result of chemical imbalance in the brain but it is caused due to the combination of biological, psychological and social factors. An awful experience like difficult relationship, physical or sexual abuse or sudden loss of a family member can trigger a depressive illness. Some of the other causes of depression include:
- Loneliness
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Lack of social support
- Family history of depression
- Childhood trauma
Primary Symptoms of Depression
The symptoms of depression are not uniform and may vary from individual to individual. The severity and duration of the symptoms depend upon the individual and his illness. These also vary with the age, gender and environment of the person. The following are the primary symptoms of depression:
- Helplessness
- Loss of interest in life
- Consistent anxious or empty feeling
- Lack in concentration
- Restlessness & Irritability
Diagnosis and Treatment
Depression is treatable even in the most severe form. It has been revealed in the studies that prompt and immediate treatment significantly reduces the chance of recurrence. The mental health specialists carry out comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to understand the prime cause of the problem. The patients might also have an interview and lab test to identify the real cause of the problem. Few blood tests can also be conducted to determine the symptoms of depression. However, depression can be treated with a number of methods like psychotherapy, exercise and with some effective medications. Some of the highly effective and recommended medications of depression include Paxil, Cymbalta, Celexa and Zoloft.