Depression

Depression can be characterized as a feeling of unhappiness that causes a fitted feeling of sadness and lack of interest.

Depression affects your feeling, thinking and behavior. You can also have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities. Depression may require long-term treatment. Many people feel better with both medication and psychotherapy.

Symptoms

Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Loss of interest or pleasure in doing everyday activities
Unexplained physical problems
Tiredness or lack of energy
Trouble thinking, concentrating and making a decision
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness
Sleep disturbances, sleeping too little or sleeping too much
Feeling of worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
Lack of interest is sex

Depression symptoms in older adults

Older adults may have symptoms which are not typical of adult symptoms. They may present as:

Physical pain
Personality changes
Memory impairment
Feeling of fatigue
Sleep disturbance
Suicidal thoughts or feeling

Causes

Causes of depression are as follows:

Situational

Losing a loved one, having financial troubles or undergoing a serious life change can have a big impact. Sometimes small changes in life can cause a bigger impact on the state of mind if someone is more likely to experience depression.

Hormonal

Hormonal changes can cause a change in mood and affect. Hormonal changes during and after childbirth, thyroid conditions especially hypothyroidism (low thyroid state) , post-menopausal state or other disorders .

Genetic

Depression may be a hereditary condition. You may have a higher likelihood of a depressive disorder at some point in your life if you have a family member with depression.

Brain Chemistry
Biological differences
Physical Changes in brains due to depression
Inherited Traits

Risk factors

Depression often begins at the age of 20 years or 30 years, but it can happen at any age. Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men in the U.S. Women are more prone to anxiety and stress than men, which can be signs of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of loneliness, loss of energy and drive, and even thoughts of suicide.

Number of factors that may lead to depression and vice versa.

Abuse of alcohol or drugs
Serious or chronic illness
High blood pressure medications
Pain or physical illness
Social isolation
Self-mutilation
Anxiety
Family conflicts
Excess weight or weight loss
Suicidal feelings
Social phobia
Relationship Difficulties

When to consult a Doctor

Don't hesitate to talk to your primary care physician if you have any questions or concerns about your mental health. Your doctor may refer you to a therapist and start you on anti-depressant medications. High success rates are achieved if the treatment consists of both psychotherapy and medications rather than medication or therapy alone.

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/depression-anxiety.html

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

18 January 2023