Overview

Depression or (major depressive disorder, clinical disorder),is a common ,highly known disease.
It causes sever signs and symptoms which interfere with personal daily life and how person feels ,thinks , handles ,eating, sleeping and working.

To be diagnosed with a depression, symptoms must be present at least for two weeks.
Depression also could be classified in variety of groups which are:
1- major depression includes includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest for two weeks that interfere with our daily activities.
2- persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia disorder)less severe than major one , but it lasts with much longer period of time usually two years.
3- perinatal depression ,occurs after or during pregnancy (during pregnancy called prenatal , after pregnancy called post-partum depression ).
4- seasonal depression, that comes and goes with seasons , starts in the late fall and early winter and disappear during spring and summer.
5- depression with psychosis symptoms ( severe type) here psychosis symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations take place.

Symptoms

• 1-Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. 2- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports. 3-Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much. 4- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort. 5-Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain. 5- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness. 6-Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements. 7- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame. 8-Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide. 9-Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches. For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.

Causes

• What Are the Main Causes of Depression? Lots of things can increase the chance of depression, including the following: Abuse. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can make you more vulnerable to depression later in life. Age. People who are elderly are at higher risk of depression. That can be made worse by other factors, such as living alone and having a lack of social support. Certain medications. Some drugs, such as isotretinoin (used to treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression. Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological vulnerability to it may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends. Death or a loss. Sadness or grief after the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can increase the risk of depression. Gender. Women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. No one's sure why. The hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may play a role. Genes. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait, meaning there are probably many different genes that each exert small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis. Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, the syndrome of clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to stressful life events. Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression. Serious illnesses. Sometimes, depression happens along with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition. Substance misuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance misuse problems also have major or clinical depression. Even if drugs or alcohol temporarily make you feel better, they ultimately will aggravate depression.

Risk factors

• What Are the Risk Factors for Depression? What are risk factors? A risk factor is something that increases your chance with a disease. When it comes to depression, several factors may play a role, including a variety of genetic, psychological, and environmental contributors. Several factors can make depression more likely. These may include: * family history and genetics * chronic stress * history of trauma * gender * poor nutrition * medication and substance use Family history and genetics Genetics are known to play a significant role in depression. If you have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling with depression, you have a 2 to 3 times greater risk Trusted Source of developing depression than a person without a family history. Chronic stress While a little stress can be a good thing — as it can keep us motivated — chronic stress can wear down the body’s healthy stress response, leading to depression in some people History of trauma Individuals with a history of trauma and abuse, particularly during early childhood, may be at greater risk of developing depression. Those who’ve experienced childhood trauma also seem to be more likely to experience treatment-resistant depression in adulthood. Gender Being female may increase your chances of developing depression. In fact, major depression is the leading cause Trusted Source of disease burden in women around the world. Poor nutrition Eating a nutritious diet is important for brain function. When we don’t get the necessary nutrients our body needs, we’re at greater risk of developing physical and mental health problems. Medication and substance use In most cases, people use substances or alcohol in an effort to feel better. But sometimes the substance can have the opposite effect, making the person feel worse.

Complications

• Depression is a serious disorder that can take a terrible toll on you and your family. Depression often gets worse if it isn't treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your life. Examples of complications associated with depression include: • Excess weight or obesity. • Pain or physical illness • Alcohol or drug misuse: About one-third of people with depression have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Both can change how your mind and body work. • Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia. • Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems. • Social isolation. • Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide. • Self-harm, such as cutting or burning skin. • Premature death from medical conditions. • depression and some depression medications can cause sexual problems. • insomnia and sleep problems. • Chronic illness: people who have depression often have one or more long term diseases: 1- Cancer 2- Multiple sclerosis. 3- heart disease 4- diabetes

Prevention

• Here are some ways to prevent depression: 1 . Exercise regularly: Exercise can improve mood by releasing feel-good endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting better sleep. 2. Maintain social connections: Having a strong social support system can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are risk factors for depression. 3. Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help support both physical and mental health. 4. Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can exacerbate symptoms of depression, so it's important to aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. 5. Manage stress: Too much stress can contribute to the development of depression, so it's important to develop coping mechanisms to manage stress, such as mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises. 6.Seek help from a specialist doctor if you do not feel comfortable after all attempts

Extra Information

fortunately ,depression is treatable, it can be treated either by medication or psychologist or both.

This article was written by Teryaq.info tram , with the help of
1- http://WWW.cmaj.ca
2- http://mayoclinic.com
3- http://www.webmd.com
4- http://nimh.nih.gov