Depression - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Although many people say that they are �depressed� when they feel down and insignificant, it is not exactly the same thing as the medically diagnosed mental disorder called depression, a serious psychological disorder affecting millions of people worldwide.

The first steps in fighting this often devastating condition is to understand what it is, what causes it, and how it can affect you. This is not an easy task, as so far, medical research has not been able to identify just one single cause for depression. Actually, it appears that interactions among genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychosocial factors may all have a part in creating this gloomy disease, and the more these aspects mingle, the worse the depression can get.

Depression is unbiased and can affect children, teenagers and adults of all ages, gender, social and cultural background, and even a million dollar bank account will not keep you safe. While anyone can develop depression, some types of depression seem to run in the same family, and even if there is no concrete proof that depression is genetic, the disorder is believed to be associated with chemical changes in the brain, making a person often feel sad, hopeless, worthless, pessimistic, invisible, guilty, or any other miserable feeling.

A person with severe depression has little or no interest in work or hobbies, and may even have trouble getting out of bed. He or she may have problems concentrating and making decisions, has no appetite, or too much, and may lose or gain weight. Sleeping becomes difficult, and there is a distinctive lack of energy. At times also physical symptoms, such as slow movement, headaches, cramps and impaired speech, may become apparent.

There is a vast difference between �feeling depressed� and actually suffering from clinical depression. The hopelessness of clinical depression is merciless and overwhelming, and some sufferers may even describe it as �living in a black hole�. These people only see and feel misery and despair. Other depression victims, on the other hand, may take a different path and get into an apathetic state, feeling lifeless and empty instead. They are no longer able to experience pleasure, even when participating in joyful events.

Any type of depression is not always easy to diagnose, especially when symptoms are not that obvious. In that case, the patient may not even realize they have a depressive disorder, even when family members, friends and co-workers all recognize the associated signs. A depression is most commonly diagnosed by a healthcare provider, who will ask the patient a number of questions related to current life and mood changes. Once other diseases and conditions have been ruled out, the healthcare provider will consider depression treatment, which may include medication, counseling, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

It is virtually impossible to escape life�s ups and downs, and no one is completely protected from the unexpected curveballs life can throw at us. Therefore, anyone can fall victim and that is a good reason to take depression incredibly serious. Despite all the available treatment options, some people will still feel their existence no longer has meaning, start to act irrational, and in extreme cases, even commit suicide. Please, don�t let that happen!

About the Author
Irida Sangemino is an international, multi-lingual, published writer/copywriter/journalist/editor living in the US. She has a wide range interests including health care issues.