What is a depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. 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.

What are the 4 causes of depression?

Causes – Clinical depression

Stressful events. Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. …
Personality. …
Family history. …
Giving birth. …
Loneliness. …
Alcohol and drugs. …
Illness.

What are the 3 primary types of depression?

Types of major depression include melancholia, psychotic and antenatal or postnatal. You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression.

Is depression a serious thing?

Major depressive disorder is a serious mental illness that affects how people feel, think, and go about their everyday tasks. The condition can also impact a person's sleep habits, appetite, and ability to enjoy life.

What is depression and causes?

Life events: Stress, the death of a loved one, upsetting events (trauma), isolation and lack of support can cause depression. Medical conditions: Ongoing physical pain and illnesses can cause depression. People often have depression along with conditions like diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's disease.

What depression does to the brain?

Depression causes the hippocampus to raise its cortisol levels, impeding the development of neurons in your brain. The shrinkage of brain circuits is closely connected to the reduction of the affected part's function. While other cerebral areas shrink due to high levels of cortisol, the amygdala enlarges.

Which behavior can trigger depression?

Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include: Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic.

What is the most serious form of depression?

Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.

What are the top three signs of depression?

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism. Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness.

Is it OK to live with depression?

Depression is a disorder of the brain that can be treated with a variety of techniques including therapy, medication and lifestyle changes. For many people who live with depression, simple changes to diet and getting sufficient rest can go a long way toward alleviating the worst symptoms of depression.

What age has the most depression?

At What Age Is Depression Most Common? According to CDC data from 2019, 21% of adults experiencing any depressive symptoms in the most recent two weeks were between 18 and 29 years old. This incidence is the largest among all adult age groups.

What happens in a depression?

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include: Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.

What will happen if you have depression?

It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

Does the brain heal after depression?

Dendrites are cellular extensions found in the neurons, or nerve cells. This suggests that depression is not an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Instead, its impact on the brain may be reversible, and the brain can heal.

How do doctors determine depression?

To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.

What causes depression flare ups?

Certain things may tend to trigger your depression, like stress at work or arguments with loved ones. If you're facing one of these situations, or have a change coming up like a new job, be aware that you could be at risk for relapse. Take some time out to relax and do things you enjoy.

At what age is mental illness most common?

50% of mental illness begins by age 14, and 3/4 begin by age 24.

Is depression curable or just treatable?

There's no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives.

How do I know if I am depressed or just unhappy?

Depression is about being sad, sure—but it's more than that. Clinical depression is a mental health condition that involves a lot of symptoms, like feeling exhausted all the time, losing interest in activities you normally enjoy, or thoughts of death and suicide. Episodes of depression last at least 2 weeks at a time.

Can people tell when you’re depressed?

The National Institute of Mental Health lists a “loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities” as one of the telltale symptoms of depression. Disinterest in activities that a person used to enjoy can be one of the first signs that other people notice when their loved one has depression.

Can depression cause sudden death?

Existing research has already linked depression to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death, especially in women .

How long can a person suffer from depression?

So how long do depressive episodes last? Usually, the depressive episode length ranges from six months to eight months, depending on the person. While some people may have depression that fades, others may struggle with depression on and off their whole life.

How do people treat depression?

Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.

How does depression affect the brain?

What is the end result of depression?

Depression is a serious mental health condition that may become deadly if untreated. In some people, untreated depression can cause them to take their own life. In addition, a person living with depression may experience related health problems that could ultimately lead to death.

Will depression fix itself?

While it is possible that an individual episode of depression may go away on its own without treatment, there is no guarantee that things won't get worse before they get better. That is why it is important to seek immediate treatment at the first signs of depression.