Depression
Health and Fitness April 5th, 2008
Depression is a medical illness caused by imbalance in brain chemicals. It is very common and can affect people of all ages. It is estimated that depression will affect one in eight people worldwide during the adolescent stage. Even though the brain cells which causes depression the illness affect body, mind, mood and thought of the patient.
Usually the symptoms of depression vary from people to people. Still lack of energy and feeling of tiredness are considered as the most common symptoms of depression. The cause of this tiredness and lack of energy may be feeling of worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness. For some people the symptom of depression will be a sudden loss of interest in their hobbies in which they had enjoyed a lot previously. Thoughts of death and suicide and even suicide attempts can be resulted from depression.
In some people the depression will last for long years. This kind of depression or dysthimia-that is what physicians call for a long lasting depression-will be less severe generally. But the other kind of depression or the major depression will be severe but it will last for short periods only. In some people the depression will happens as a result of any particular life incident like death divorce or any other big loss. This kind of depression is clinically called adjustment disorder with depressed mood.
There is no single reason can be attributed to the cause of depression. Some theories say that it is due to biological reasons while other blames genetic and environmental reasons for the cause of depression. However recently physicians say that depression can happen when more than two factors come together. Depression is usually happens when the supply of neurotransmitters in the brain decreases. Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that regulate an individual’s mood. When they are not available in sufficient quantities, the result will be depression. Sometimes depression can be occurred as side effect of taking any medicines for other illness. Substance abuse is also can be a cause.
There mainly two method of treatment for depression .One is through medication and the other is through cognitive behavioral therapy. In medication, medicines that can produce more neurotransmitters are given to the patient. Typical first line therapy for depression is the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI . The SSRI’S affect neurotransmitters and they have fewer side effects compared to other medicines. Apart from SSRI’s tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are also used in the treatment of depression. Much kind of psychotherapies is also given to depression patients. Usually the physicians prescribe psychotherapies first and only if that fails he prescribes medication. In psychotherapy the therapist focus on the patient’s mental condition that causes and increases his or her depression.
Other than clinical treatment all depressed patients must get emotional support from the kith and kin. This includes understanding his or her situation, patience, affection and encouragement. The relatives must consider him as a normal person and engage him in conversation.
Whatever will be the method of treatment, it is possible to get depression completely cured. So it is important to get the assistance of a physician if a person is found to be depressed.
The author works as a research expert at a mental health research firm.
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