DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a 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's not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved, such as- Biological differences, Brain chemistry, Hormones, and Inherited traits.

Risk factors include- Personal or family history of depression, Major life changes, trauma, or stress, Certain physical illnesses, and medications.

Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes, Pain or physical illness, Alcohol or drug misuse, Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia, Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, work or school problems, Social isolation, Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide, Self-mutilation, such as cutting, Premature death from medical conditions

There's no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies may help- Take steps to control stress, Reach out to family and friends,Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem, and Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.

The mainstay of treatment is usually medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. Increasingly, research suggests that these treatments may normalize brain changes associated with depression.