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• Depression is a serious medical disorder that affects mood and the body. Left untreated, depression can lead to physical ailments, disease, mental disorders and even death.

  Clinical depression is not a mood, but is a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects the way certain hormones and chemicals are released by or absorbed back into (re-uptake) the brain.

• Fast Facts

  1. Affects 20 million people in U.S. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depre...
  2. Symptoms: persistent sadness, sleep disturbances, weight fluctuation, trouble concentrating, fatigue, loss of sex drive, easily annoyed, thoughts of suicide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depre...
  3. A type of mood disorder http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depre...
  4. May be treated with antidepressants http://www.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp...
  5. Sometimes psychotherapy or counseling is needed http://www.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp...
  6. Most get better with treatment http://www.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp...
  7. Usually no hospital stay http://www.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp...
  8. Some medications can cause depression
  9. Without treatment can last for years
  10. Exercise benefits depression
  11. Someone with depression needs constant support
  12. Don't avoid social contact
  13. Increases the risk of getting asthma, coronary artery disease or HIV
  14. Many different forms
  15. Most common types: major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depre...

• Causes

  In some cases, depression appears to be hereditary, as it runs in families, and patients with a family member who has depression is more than 50% more likely to have depression in their lifetime.

  Depression is also sometimes caused by the hormonal fluctuations after childbirth; this is called post partum depression.

  Depression is also a common side effect of certain medications, and can also be a side effect of illicit drug use or alcoholism. Alcoholism and illicit drug use might also be asymptomatic of depression.

  Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD has an increased risk of getting depressionhttp://www.vancouversun.com/health/COPD+raises+risk+depression+Study/1202496/story.html

  Situations and environment can also cause depression - for example, high stress or traumatic experiences.

  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is triggered by the low sunlight levels of the winter months.

  Another underlying cause seems to be certain differences in the brain. When the brains of people with depression are scanned, they display striking differences compared to the brains of those who are not depressed. Not all the causes have been determined, and each cause may have different treatment.

• Symptoms

  1. Feeling sad with no particular reason
  2. Feeling hopeless
  3. Crying without cause
  4. Loss of appetite
  5. Insomnia, or sleeping far more than usual
  6. Weight change
  7. Disinterest in sex
  8. Difficulty making decisions
  9. Irritability
  10. Suicidal thoughts

• Treatment

  Depression can be treated with counseling, medication, or a combination of the two. While a general practitioner can provide antidepressants, it is best to work with a specialist in order to determine the best course of treatment.

  Specific types of depression may also require specifically targeted treatment. For example, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be helped by controlled exposure to artificially generated broad-spectrum light.

• Disclaimer

  The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice and is for informational purposes only. If you think you suffer from depression, please consult your doctor.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Weight Gain | Postpartum Depression | Bipolar Disorder | Stress | Procrastination | How to Stop Procrastinating | Asperger Syndrome | PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) | Nortriptyline | Hypochondria | Psychotherapy | Pristiq | Hallucinations | How to Fight Boredom | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation | Truman Syndrome | Holiday Blues | Depression Treatment | Anxiety Treatment | Bipolar Disorder Treatment

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