Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest. It is also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It can be difficult for you to do your normal daily tasks, and sometimes you feel that life is not worth living.

Depression is a normal mental disorder. More than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression around the world.

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and contributes significantly to the overall global burden of disease.

Depression affects more women than men.

Depression can lead to suicide.

Symptoms

Feelings of sadness, anxiety or emptiness

feelings of hopelessness and pessimism

Feeling guilty, worthless or helpless...

You're not enjoying what you're used to enjoying...

Problems with concentration, memory or decision-making

Sleep too much or too little.

Appetite changes

Profit or loss of weight

Frustration

Suicidal ideation

Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents

The general signs and symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are similar to those in adults, but may have some differences.

In young children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, stickiness, anxiety, pain, refusal to go to school or underweight.

In adolescents, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, negative and worthless feeling, anger, poor performance or poor school attendance, feelings of misunderstanding and extreme sensitivity, use of recreational drugs or alcohol, too much food or sleep, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities and avoidance of social interaction.

Symptoms of depression in older people

Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, older people often have depression undiagnosed and untreated and may be reluctant to seek help. The symptoms of depression in older people may be different or less obvious, for example

memory problems or personality changes

Physical discomfort or pain

fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex - not caused by illness or medication

Often he prefers to stay home rather than get in touch or do something new.

suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially among older men.

Reasons

We don't know exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, different factors can play an important role:

Biological differences. In people with depression, there seems to be a physical change in the brain. The significance of these changes is still undefined, but may ultimately help to identify their causes.

Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are natural brain chemicals that probably play a role in depression. Recent research shows that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and in their interaction with neurotransmitters involved in maintaining mood stability can play a significant role in depression and its treatment.

hormones. Changes in the body's hormonal balance may be involved in the initiation or onset of depression. Hormonal changes can occur during pregnancy, during the week or months after delivery (after delivery), in thyroid disease, during menopause, or in a number of other diseases.

Inherited characteristics. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also suffer from this disease. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in the development of depression.

Risk factors.

Depression often begins in adolescence, at 20-30, but can occur at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be partly because women are more likely to seek treatment.

Factors that appear to increase the risk of developing or initiating depression include

certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and overreliance, self-criticism or pessimism

Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, death or loss of a loved one, difficult relationships or financial problems

Blood relatives with depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicidal history.

Be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual, or have sexual development disabilities that are clearly not male or female (intersex) in an unfavourable situation

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

Substance abuse

Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease.

Some drugs, such as some high blood pressure drugs or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before you stop taking your medication)

Complications 

Depression is a serious disease that can have a terrible impact on you and your family. Depression often gets worse if left untreated, leading to emotional, behavioural and medical problems that affect every area of your life.

Examples of depression-related complications are...

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

Pain or physical illness

Drunken driving

Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia

family conflicts, difficulties in relationships, problems at work or at school

Social exclusion

Feelings of suicide, suicide attempts or suicides...

self-harming, like cutting

Premature death from illness

Prevention

There's no safe way to prevent depression. However, these strategies can help.

Take stress management measures to increase your resilience and self-esteem.

Talk to your family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you survive difficult times.

Get treatment at the earliest signs of the problem to prevent depression from getting worse.

Consider long-term maintenance therapy to prevent recurrence of symptoms.