Other times, however, the reasons for depression are not as clear. The causes of depression are quite complex. Very often it is a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Regardless of the cause, depression is almost always treatable. You do not need to determine the cause of your depression to get help.
Biological factors: You may have heard about chemical imbalances in the brain that occur in depression, suggesting that depression is a medical illness.
Depression does seem to have a biological component. Research suggests that depression may be linked to changes in the functioning of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Current research focuses on the serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine systems. The usefulness of antidepressant medications suggests that brain chemistry is involved in depression.
However, it is also possible that biological changes happen as a result of being depressed. Some kinds of depression seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability.
This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser extent, severe major depression. However, having a biological vulnerability does not mean you are destined to become depressed. Not everyone in a family develops depression, suggesting that other factors are involved. In addition, depression can occur in individuals who have no family history of depression.
Stress: Psychological and environmental stressors can contribute to a depressive episode. Common stressors among college students include:. A major loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, or unwelcome life changes can often trigger a depressive episode, even in individuals without a family history or genetic predisposition.
Psychological Tendencies: Psychological make-up can play a role in vulnerability to depression. People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or are readily overwhelmed by stress, may be especially prone to depression.
Alcohol or Other Drug Use: A lot of depressed people, especially young adults and men, have problems with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes the depression comes first and people try alcohol or other drugs as a way to escape it. Sometimes you can't tell which came first. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression.
A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy. Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is.
Depression is usually treated with medications , psychotherapy , or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy ECT and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore.
Quick Tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-fits-all" for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you. Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects. A medication that has helped you or a close family member in the past will often be considered.
Antidepressants take time — usually 2 to 4 weeks — to work, and often, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration problems improve before mood lifts, so it is important to give medication a chance before reaching a conclusion about its effectiveness. If you begin taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them without the help of a doctor. Sometimes people taking antidepressants feel better and then stop taking the medication on their own, and the depression returns.
When you and your doctor have decided it is time to stop the medication, usually after a course of 6 to 12 months, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease your dose. Stopping them abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Please Note: In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. This warning from the U.
Food and Drug Administration FDA also says that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you are considering taking an antidepressant and you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about any increased health risks to you or your unborn or nursing child. To find the latest information about antidepressants, talk to your doctor and visit www.
You may have heard about an herbal medicine called St. John's wort. Although it is a top-selling botanical product, the FDA has not approved its use as an over-the-counter or prescription medicine for depression, and there are serious concerns about its safety it should never be combined with a prescription antidepressant and effectiveness. Do not use St. Other natural products sold as dietary supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids and S-adenosylmethionine SAMe , remain under study but have not yet been proven safe and effective for routine use.
For more information on herbal and other complementary approaches and current research, please visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website. Examples of evidence-based approaches specific to the treatment of depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT , interpersonal therapy IPT , and problem-solving therapy. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions.
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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Major depressive disorder. Arlington, Va. Accessed April 20, National Institute of Mental Health. After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use? Alzheimer's: New treatments Alzheimer's Caregiver depression Understanding the difference between dementia types Alzheimer's: Can a head injury increase my risk? Mediterranean diet Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease: Can exercise prevent memory loss?
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Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? When you have clinical depression you feel sad for weeks or months, not just a few days. Clinical depression can be a serious condition. It is not a sign of weakness. It is not something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together". With the right treatment and support, most people with clinical depression can make a full recovery.
Clinical depression can often come on gradually. So it can be difficult to notice when something is wrong. You might try to cope with the symptoms without realising you're unwell. It can sometimes take a friend or family member to suggest something is wrong.
You can have clinical depression and other mental health disorders. For example, anxiety, psychosis or other difficulties. It can be difficult to know the difference between grief and clinical depression. Both are similar, but there are differences. When you are grieving, you find feelings of sadness and loss come and go.
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