Dipression

Onset of depression more complex than a brain chemical imbalance It's often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn't capture how complex the disease is. Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events. It's believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression. To be sure, chemicals are involved in this process, but it is not a simple matter of one chemical being too low and another too high. Rather, many chemicals are involved, working both inside and outside nerve cells. There are millions, even billions, of chemical reactions that make up the dynamic system that is responsible for your mood, perceptions, and how you experience life. With this level of complexity, you can see how two people might have similar symptoms of depression, but the problem on the inside, and therefore what treatments will work best, may be entirely different. Scientists have learned much about the biology of depression, but their understanding of the biology of depression is far from complete. Major advances in the biology of depression include finding links between specific parts of the brain and depression effects, This article will address the how different parts of the brain affect mood. Brain regions and mood ...

What Is Depression? Most people feel sad or depressed at times. It’s a normal reaction to loss or life's challenges. But when intense sadness -- including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless -- lasts for many days to weeks and keeps you from living your life, it may be something more than sadness. You could have Is Depression Curable? There’s no cure for depression. Your symptoms may go away over time, but the condition won’t. But with care and treatment, you can reach remission and enjoy a long, healthy life. Depression Symptoms According to the DSM-5, a manual doctors use to diagnose mental disorders, you have • Your mood is depressed for most of the day, especially in the morning. • You feel • You feel worthless or guilty almost every day. • You feel hopeless or pessimistic. • You have a hard time focusing, remembering details, and making decisions. • You can’t sleep, or you • You have almost no interest or pleasure in many activities nearly every day. • You think often about death or • You feel restless or slowed down. • You’ve lost or gained You may also: • Feel cranky and restless • Lose pleasure in life • Overeat or stop feeling hungry • Have aches, pains, • Have sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings While these symptoms are common, not everyone with depression will have the same ones. How severe they are, how often they happen, and how long they last can vary. Your symptoms may also happen in patterns. For example, depression may come with a change in seasons (a ...

Depression is a common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and changes in how you think, sleep, eat and act. There are several different types. Depression is treatable — usually with talk therapy, medication or both. Seeking medical help as soon as you have symptoms is essential. Overview What is depression? Depression is a It’s normal to feel sad about or grieve over difficult life situations, such as losing your job or a divorce. But depression is different in that it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone. There are several types of depressive disorders. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often just called “depression.” It’s the most severe type of depression. Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to What are the types of depression? The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) classifies depressive disorders as the following: • Clinical depression (major depressive disorder): A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you’ve felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities or change in appetite. This is the most severe form of depression and one of the most common forms. • Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): Persistent depressive disorder...

"The grey drizzle of horror," author William Styron memorably called depression. The mood disorder may descend seemingly out of the blue, or it may come on the heels of a defeat or personal loss, producing persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from the disorder. And the incidence of the disorder is increasing everywhere. Americans are highly concerned with Depression comes in forms ranging from major depression to dysthymia and seasonal affective disorder. Depressive episodes are also a feature of Depression is a complex condition, involving many systems of the body, including the immune system, either as cause or effect. It disrupts sleep and it interferes with Because of its complexity, a full understanding of depression has been elusive. There is mounting evidence that depression may actually be a necessary defense strategy of the body, a kind of shutdown or Researchers have some evidence that depression susceptibility is related to Even in the most severe cases, depression is highly treatable. The condition is often cyclical, and early treatment may prevent or forestall recurrent episodes. Many studies show that the most effective treatment is For more on causes, symptoms, and treatments of depressive disorders, see our There is no single known cause of depression. Rather, it ...

Helping someone with depression can be a challenge. If someone you know has depression, you may feel helpless and wonder what to do. Learn how to support and understand them and help them get the resources they need. The more you learn about depression, how it affects people and how it can be treated, the better you'll be able help someone else. Depression symptoms vary from person to person. They can include: • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. • 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. • Sleeping too little or too much. • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort. • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain. • Physical problems that can't be explained, such as back pain or headaches. • Anxiety, restlessness or nervousness. • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements. • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, focusing on past failures, or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility. • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things. • Frequent or repeated mention of not wanting to live, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide. For many people with depression, symptoms can affect daily activities at work or school. Depression also can affect social activities and relationships with others. Other people may feel generally m...