Schizophrenia

There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial which includes:

• Brain chemistry. There may be a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that manage mood, thoughts, sleep, appetite, and behavior in people who have depression.
• Hormone levels. Changes in female hormones estrogen and progesterone during different periods of time like during the menstrual cycle, postpartum period, perimenopause, or menopause may all raise a person’s risk for depression.
• Family history. You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.
• Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
• Brain structure. There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.
• Medical conditions. Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart attack, and cancer.
• Substance use. A history of substance or alcohol misuse can increase the risk of depression.
• People who feel emotional or chronic physical pain for long periods of time are significantly more likely to develop depression.

How Is Depression Treated?

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms. A health professional should conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test might be done to make sure the depression is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem or a vitamin deficiency. The evaluation will identify specific symptoms and explore medical and family histories as well as cultural and environmental factors with the goal of arriving at a diagnosis and planning a course of action.

It’s common to combine medical treatments and lifestyle therapies, including the following:

Medication

Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and may factor into their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants might be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry. Generally antidepressant medications have no stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression. Psychiatrists usually recommend that patients continue to take medication for six or more months after the symptoms have improved. Longer-term maintenance treatment may be suggested to decrease the risk of future episodes for certain people at high risk.

Psychotherapy

Speaking with a therapist can help you learn skills to cope with negative feelings. You may also benefit from family or group therapy sessions. Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is when a person speaks to a trained therapist to identify and learn to cope with the factors that contribute to their mental health condition, such as depression. Psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment in improving symptoms in people with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy is often used alongside pharmaceutical treatment. There are many different types of psychotherapy, and some people respond better to one type than another.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses electrical currents to induce a seizure, and has been shown to help people with clinical depression. It’s used in people with severe depression or depression that is resistant to other treatments or antidepressant medications. During an ECT procedure, you’ll receive an anesthetic agent which will put you to sleep for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Your healthcare professional will place cardiac monitoring pads on your chest and four electrodes on specific areas of your head. They will then deliver short electrical pulses for a few seconds. You will neither convulse nor feel the electrical current and will awaken about 5 to 10 minutes after treatment. Side effects include headaches, nausea, muscle aches and soreness, and confusion or disorientation.Patients may also develop memory problems, but these usually reside in the weeks and months after treatment.

Alternative therapies

Self-help and Coping- There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For many people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improves mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also help reduce symptoms of depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns and request a thorough evaluation. This is a start to addressing your mental health needs.

Related Conditions

• Peripartum depression (previously postpartum depression)
• Seasonal depression (Also called seasonal affective disorder)
• Bipolar disorders
• Persistent depressive disorder (previously dysthymia)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Natural remedies and lifestyle tips-

• Exercise
• Avoid alcohol and substance use
• Learn how to set limits in daily schedule
• Take care of yourself- You can also improve symptoms of depression by taking care of yourself. This includes getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding negative people, and participating in enjoyable activities.
• Supplements like S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
• Vitamins
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Acupuncture- Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that may help ease some symptoms of depression. During acupuncture, a practitioner uses needles to stimulate certain areas in the body in order to treat a range of conditions.

Depression test

There isn’t a single test to diagnose depression. But your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and a psychological evaluation. In most cases, they’ll ask a series of questions about your:

• Mood
• Appetite
• Sleep pattern
• Activity level
• Thoughts

It’s important not to ignore symptoms of depression. If your mood doesn’t improve or gets worse, seek medical help. Depression is a serious mental health illness with the potential for complications. If left untreated, complications can include:

• Weight gain or loss
• Physical pain
• Substance use disorder
• Panic attacks
• Relationship problems
• Social isolation
• Thoughts of suicide
• Self-harm

Types of Depression

Depression can be broken into categories depending on the severity of symptoms. Some people experience mild and temporary episodes, while others experience severe and ongoing depressive episodes.

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Depression and anxiety
• Depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Depression with psychosis
• Depression in pregnancy
• Depression and alcohol

Preventing depression

Depression isn’t generally considered to be preventable. It’s hard to recognize what causes it, which means preventing it is more difficult. But once you’ve experienced a depressive episode, you may be better prepared to prevent a future episode by learning which lifestyle changes and treatments are helpful. Techniques that may help include:

• Regular exercise
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Maintaining treatments
• Reducing stress
• Building strong relationships with others