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Depression is a serious ailment that modifies a person self-image, affects sleep, eating habits and how things appear. Most people with depression experience profound sadness, helplessness and despair.
Causes of depression are unknown. There is a belief that it is associated with a hereditary biochemical imbalance of neurotransmitters, although it can occur with people with no family history of depression. Others believe that it is caused by stressful events and/or important changes in a person’s life.
Generally, a combination of psychological, hereditary and environmental elements contribute to depression.
Here are the symptoms generally associated to depression, grouped into four categories :
Mood :
· Lingering sadness
· Loss of interest for formerly pleasant activities
· Loss or reduction of libido
· Irritability, anger, discouragement
Physical Symptoms :
· Increased or diminished appetite (weight gain or weight loss)
· Sleep disturbances (awakening very early in the morning and/or
having difficulty falling asleep and/or waking up frequently
in the
middle of the night)
· Headaches, constipation, aches and pain
· Exhaustion, lack of energy and motivation
Cognitive Symptoms :
· Negative and pessimistic thoughts, guilt
· Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
· Despair, hopelessness, anguish
· Drop in self-esteem, self-confidence
Anxiety problems :
· Extreme worry, agitation
· Panicky feelings
· Difficulty falling asleep
Persons at risk :
Depression is the leading cause of invalidity in the world. It is estimated that it affects 9.5% of the population aged 18 and over and that one person in five will experience a depressive episode in the span of a lifetime. Women are particularly at risk, as they are twice as likely to be diagnosed: 12% vs. 7% for men. Although most frequent between the ages of 18 and 44, the disease can appear at all ages. For many, the disease starts during childhood or adolescence. At that age, it generally goes unnoticed because the first symptoms (change in mood, irritability, risk-taking behaviour) are similar to typical teenage problems.
Among those prone to depression, we find :
· people with low self-esteem
· alcoholics or drug addicts
· people with someone in their close family with a history of
depression
· people experiencing stressful and or traumatic events
· people that suffer from certain chronic disease
· people that have a personal history of depression
· people that are supporting someone they love that is seriously ill
Copyright Psycho Physio International Inc. 2003-2008