Depression can severely adversely impact a person’s life, affecting health, sleep, work, and relationships. It is a serious illness and recognizing the early warning signs so treatment can commence is important. Depression in older adults can cause confusion or forgetfulness and has been linked as a significant risk factor in this population for heart problems.
Although the word “depression” is used commonly to mean “the blues,” clinical depression is a disabling condition and more serious. Clinical depression is also called major-depressive disorder or unipolar depression.
The symptoms that help identify depression include:
- feelings of sadness, irritability, or stress
- decreased interest or activities that used to be pleasurable
- loss of energy
- a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
- insomnia or sleeping too much
- restlessness or feeling lethargic
- trouble with concentration
- feelings hopeless or worthless
- thoughts of suicide or death
Causes of Depression
Depression has no single cause. It often occurs because of a combination of factors. Doctors now know that depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance neurotransmitter chemicals.
Two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain – serotonin and norephinephrine are believed to be at the center of the mood symptoms of depression. If these tow chemicals are out of balance, the effect can be felt in both the brain and body. An individual suffering from depression will experience both emotional and physical symptoms.
Some common factors involved in depression symptoms are:
- Family history of depression - genetics.
- Trauma and stress - financial problems, relationship problems, grief and loss, job stress and situational live changes.
- Pessimistic personality – focusing on the negative, low self-esteem. These character traits may actually be caused by low-level depression called dysthymia.
- Medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression
- Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.
Some common forms of depression are:
Dysthymia. Individuals with dysthymia feel a mild form of depression on most days over a period of at least two years. The symptoms resemble major depression, but with less severity.
Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar II disorder consisting of recurrent mood disturbances between hypomania and dysthymic mood. In other words the highs don’t get as high as bipolar and the lows don’t get as low as major depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms are the same as experienced with any major depressive episode. These symptoms occur during certain seasons of they year. Typically it occurs during seasons with little sunlight.
Postpartum Depression is a type of depression that can occur in women who have recently given birth. The onset is usually within the first few months after delivery, but it can occur anytime within the first year after giving birth. The symptoms are those seen with any major depressive episode. Postpartum depression can interfere with the mother's ability to bond with her newborn.
Premenstrual Dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is diagnosed when a woman suffers from emotional and physical premenstrual depression symptoms that seriously adversely effect her daily life, mood and relationships.
Bipolar disorder – is marked by severe mood swings. The moods swing from very low (depression) to very high (mania).
Some common terms in understanding the different forms of depression:
Mania — Mania is one side of bipolar disorder. Mania may start with a good feeling, almost like a “high” or supernatural and invincible feelings. Or it may make a person feel very irritable, angry and violent. People with mania may do very risky things they would not otherwise do.
Hypomania — Hypomania is a milder form of mania. It can make people feel good. They may think they are getting more things done. But the “feel good” stage can change into mania or depression. Hypomania is a milder form of mania. Because it is not as severe, it doesn’t negatively impact things like work or family. It sometimes is not even noticed as a problem but more of an attribute of high energy and productivity.
Mixed mood — This is when feelings of mania and depression go back and forth quickly, sometimes even in the same day.
With all types of extreme depression, people are at risk for suicide.
[page updated February 2009]