Introduction

Depression is an issue that affects millions of people in the world whether at work or at home.

• Not only is it a prevalent issue, but also one that is frequently misunderstood.
• While it's not fully known why this disorder occurs, experts think that it is related to naturally occurring chemicals in the brain.
• Other factors may come into play as well.
• Genetics can sometimes be a cause, as can things like stress, trauma, physical and psychological disorders, and even one's individual personality.
• Sometimes, there is no one cause, but rather a combination of various causes.
  So, how do you know if you or a loved one are suffering from this problem?
• There are a multitude of symptoms to look for. Sadness, despair and a lack of energy are commonly described by sufferers.
• While everyone may experience these feelings at one time or another, some people experience them for an extended period of time with no relief.
• This is usually the first sign that a depressive disorder may be to blame.
• The problem can be mild to moderate, in which case the sufferer is able to go about their everyday lives with little or no interruption. Or, the problem may be more severe and lead to interruptions in normal lifestyle and even thoughts of suicide.
  The very first thing you should do if you suspect that this is a problem for you or a loved one is seek help immediately.
• Some people feel uncomfortable talking about their feelings. However, anyone who thinks they might be depressed shouldn't feel guilty or ashamed about this problem.
• Try talking to a trusted family doctor first, who may either treat the problem themselves or refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation and treatment.
• During the initial consultation, you will be asked about your symptoms so that a diagnosis can be made.
• Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options will be discussed.
  There are various treatments for depression that may be suggested.
• For mild to moderate depression, cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. In some cases, medication may be prescribed.
• The most common type of medication for depressed individuals are called antidepressants.
• Examples include medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor and Celexa. Antidepressants are not to be confused with antianxiety medications. Antidepressants work by interacting with brain chemistry and encouraging normal function.
• It usually takes at least four to six weeks for results to occur. During this time, you may want to work with a mental health specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms and discover the root of the problem.

What is Depression?

Depression is a "whole-body" illness, involving your body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Symptoms that people have when they're depressed can include:
depressed mood or sadness most of the time (for what may seem like no reason)
lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
inability to enjoy things that used to bring pleasure
withdrawal from friends and family
irritability, anger, or anxiety
inability to concentrate
significant weight loss or gain
significant change in sleep patterns (inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get up in the morning)
feelings of guilt or worthlessness
aches and pains (with no known medical cause)
pessimism and indifference (not caring about anything in the present or future)
thoughts of death or suicide When someone has five or more of these symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, that person is probably depressed Teens who are depressed may show other warning signs or symptoms, such as lack of interest or motivation, poor concentration, and low mental energy caused by depression. They also might have increased problems at school because of skipped classes. Some teens with depression have other problems, too, and these can intensify feelings of worthlessness or inner pain. For example, people who cut themselves or who have eating disorders may have unrecognized depression that needs attention

Types of Depression:

For some people, depression can be intense and occur in bouts that last for weeks at a time. For others, depression can be less severe but can linger at a low level for years.
Doctors who treat depression distinguish between these two types of depression. They call the more severe, short-lasting type major depression and the longer-lasting but less severe form dysthymia (pronounced: diss-thy-me-uh).
A third form of depression that doctors may diagnose is called adjustment disorder with depressed mood. This diagnosis refers to a depressive reaction to a specific life event (such as a death, divorce, or other loss), when adjusting to the loss takes longer than the normally expected timeframe or is more severe than expected and interferes with the person's daily activities.
Bipolar disorder (also sometimes called manic depressive illness) is another depressive condition that involves periods of major depression mixed with periods of mania. Mania is the term for abnormally high mood and extreme bursts of unusual activity or energy.

Why Do People Get Depressed?

There is no single cause for depression. Many factors play a role including genetics, environment, life events, medical conditions, and the way people react to things that happen in their lives.
Genetics:
Research shows that depression runs in families and that some people inherit genes that make it more likely for them to get depressed. Not everyone who has the genetic makeup for depression gets depressed, though. And many people who have no family history of depression have the condition. So although genes are one factor, they aren't the single cause of depression.
Life Events:
The death of a family member, friend, or pet can go beyond normal grief and sometimes lead to depression. Other difficult life events, such as when parents divorce, separate, or remarry, can trigger depression. Even events like moving or changing schools can be emotionally challenging enough that a person becomes depressed.

Family and Social Environment:

For some teens, a negative, stressful, or unhappy family atmosphere can affect their self-esteem and lead to depression. This can also include high-stress living situations such as poverty; homelessness; and violence in the family, relationships, or community.
Substance use and abuse also can cause chemical changes in the brain that affect mood-alcohol and some drugs are known to have depressant effects. The negative social and personal consequences of substance abuse also can lead to severe unhappiness and depression.

Teen Depression
If you are the parent of a teenager, then you are likely already aware of the many dangers of depression. Teen depression is a pretty common occurrence and it can affect anyone. If you have children, you need to inform yourself about teenage depression so you can try to prevent it and look out for it with your teens. Symptoms of Teen Depression Some common symptoms of teen depression are:
♣ Frequent sadness
♣ Crying, often for no reason
♣ Withdrawal
♣ Refusal to eat or over-eating
♣ Feelings of hopelessness
♣ Talk of death or suicide
♣ Obsession with death and suicide Causes of Teen Depression
There are different causes for teen depression.
The teen years are hard for anyone and with pressures from friends, school and parents, it can sometimes get to be too much. If this is combined with drug or alcohol use, it is almost always a recipe for depression.
A depressed teen may have problems at home or get picked on at school. Sometimes the depression may come from another problem such as an eating disorder, addiction or medical condition. Some teens just need to eat a better diet and get more rest. Help for Teen Depression
There are different treatments for depression but teen depression should not be treated the same as depression in adults. There are medications available to help with depression but typically, it is not needed or only needed for a temporary amount of time. Teen depression involves knowing what is causing the depression and counseling. Getting to the root of the problem is often all it takes to help a teen with depression.
As the parent of a depressed teen, it’s important that you try to understand your teen, listen to him and try not to be accusing.

Try to respect your teen’s opinions and problems and not try to blame yourself. You need to understand that being a teenager is hard and your child is justified in their feelings even if you may not agree or understand.
When you realize this, you can help your child. And remember to give lots of love and support and encouragement.