Cause and Signs of Depression!

Were you aware that 25.2% of all Americans 18 years of age or alder suffer from a mental disorder? Or that 6.7% of the United States population suffers from depression? According to the National Institute Mental Health's online website depression is one of the leading causes of a disability in Americans. So what causes depression? What types of depression are there? What are the signs of depressions? How can you help someone who is chronically depressed?

To better understand the causes of depression you first need to understand what depression is. Depression is a serious medical condition. According to the NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health, it is when you are feeling sad for weeks at a time. There are many forms of depression starting with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder and bipolar disorder. Any type of depression is about the same. They will all leave you feeling down in the dumps, however, depending on your symptoms' and the length of time you have been depressed will depend on the type of depression you have.

What causes depression? It could be as simple as being close to home. Some of the main causes of depression, according to depression.com is family history, trauma and stress, pessimistic personalities, physical conditions, and other psychological disorders. Genetics plays a huge factor in family history and in hereditary. Trauma and stress is another factor due to financial problems, relationships, or even the lost of a loved one. People with low self-esteem often find themselves depressed. These people are known as pessimistic personalities. Heart disease, cancer, HIV are all physical conditions that can contribute to depression. Weight is also another factor that can effect depression when it comes to the physical condition of someone. This category falls under other psychological disorders and also includes anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Now that you know the cause of depression less take a look at the different types. There are three main types of depression following the guidelines given to us by the NIMH. Major depression is a form of depression that will interfere with you life from working, sleeping, and even eating, to name a few. Dysthymia is a long last form of depression. Unlike major depression dysthymia will not interfere with your lifestyle, however it long lasting. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where the effected person will experience drastic mood changes ranging from high to low.

To determine if you or a loved one has a depression disorder they, or you, will need to have a few of the following symptoms. The symptoms, according to the NIMH and WebMD are:
Difficulty in concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.
Decrease in energy or feeling fatigued
Having feelings of guilt, unworthiness, or helplessness. They can also experience feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.
Lack of sleeping, sleeping to much, or early morning wakefulness.
Feelings of irritability or restlessness.
Lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy, including sex.
The overeating or lack of appetite.
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not go away with treatment.
Persistent feelings of being sad, anxious, or empty feelings.
Thought of suicide or suicide attempts.

After reading this the final question is what you should do if you think you or someone you love may suffer from depression. If you suspect depression in someone, or yourself, it is important to get medical attention, failure to treat depression can lead to suicide or suicide attempts. It is relatively easy to treat depression. Therapy, medicine, or a combination of both have been known to work. In fact out of the total number of individuals who suffer from depression, 80% of them are successfully treated. Failing to treat depression can lead to suicide or suicide attempts.

In conclusion it is very important to treat depression no different than any other illness. By keeping active and forcing yourself to keep doing things the chances your depression will eventually go away. Another strong tip is to talk to someone, never ever keep things bottled up. Friends or family are both very good choices when confiding in someone. However, whatever decision you make in regards to your depression it is important to remember that you are not alone.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression
http://www.depression.com/causes_of_depression.html