Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems. In this article we know what is depression, depression symptoms and it’s causes.
Symptoms
Although you may only have depression once in your life, people usually have several episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur for most of the day, almost every day and may include:
- Feelings of tearfulness, hopelessness, emptiness or sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
- Angry outbursts, frustration or irritability , even over small matters
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
Depression symptoms in children and teens
The general signs and symptoms of depression in children and teens are similar to those in adults, but there may be some differences.
- In young children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, stiffness, anxiety, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
- In adolescence, symptoms include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, angry, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and overly sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm. , may include loss of interest. In normal activities, and avoiding social contact.
Depression symptoms in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression in older adults is often undiagnosed and treated, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
- Physical aches or pain
- Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
- Memory difficulties or personality changes
- Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
Causes
- Biological differences. People with depression have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may ultimately help pinpoint the causes.
- Hormones. Changes in the balance of the body’s hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes accompany pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and can result from thyroid problems, menopause, or many other conditions.
- Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression.
Prevention
- Take steps to control stress, increase your resilience, and boost your self-esteem.
- Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from getting worse.
- Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you through inclement weather.
- Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from getting worse.
