Depression Health Article
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Causes & symptoms
The causes behind depression are complex and not yet fully understood. While an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters, the chemicals in the brain that transmit messages between nerve cells, is believed to be key to depression, external factors such as upbringing (more so in dysthymia than major depression) may be as important. For example, it is speculated that, if an individual is abused and neglected throughout childhood and adolescence, a pattern of low self-esteem and negative thinking may emerge, and from that, a lifelong pattern of depression may follow. A 2003 study reported that two-thirds of patients with major depression say they also suffer from chronic pain.
| SYMPTOMS OF ADULT DEPRESSION |
| Longterm sadness |
| Feelings of worthlessness or guilt |
| Lack of interest in sex |
| Loss of concentration |
| Loss of interest in activities |
| Fatigue |
| Weight loss or gain |
| Insomnia or oversleeping |
| Anxiety |
| Suicidal thoughts |
| Slowed speech and physical movement |
Heredity seems to play a role in who develops depression. Individuals with major depression in their immediate family are up to three times more likely to have the disorder themselves. It would seem that biological and genetic factors may make certain individuals predisposed or prone to depressive disorders, but environmental circumstances may often trigger the disorder.
External stressors and significant life changes, such as chronic medical problems, death of a loved one, divorce or estrangement, miscarriage, or loss of a job also can result in a form of depression known as adjustment disorder. Although periods of adjustment disorder usually resolve themselves, occasionally they may evolve into a major depressive disorder.
Major depressive episode
Individuals experiencing a major depressive episode have a depressed mood and/or a diminished interest or pleasure in activities. Children experiencing a major depressive episode may appear or feel irritable, rather than depressed. In addition, five or more of the following symptoms will occur on an almost daily basis for a period of at least two weeks:
- Significant change in weight
- insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
- psychomotor agitation or retardation
- fatigue or loss of energy
- feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- diminished ability to think or to concentrate, or indecisiveness
- recurrent thoughts of death, or suicidal and/or suicide attempts
| SYMPTOMS OF CHILDHOOD/ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION |
| Drop in school performance |
| Weight loss or gain |
| Stomachaches |
| Insomnia |
| Social withdrawal |
| Drug or alcohol abuse |
| Isolation |
| Apathy |
| Fatigue |
| Lack of concentration |
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Author Info: Belinda Rowland, Teresa G. Odle, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 2005 |
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