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An ongoing sense of melancholy and disinterest is a symptom of depression, a mood illness. It impacts feelings, thoughts, and behavior and can result in a range of psychological and medical issues. It is also referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression. Sometimes you could feel like life isn't worth living, and you might find it difficult to carry out your regular daily tasks.

Depression is more than merely a bad case of the blues, and it's not something you can "snap out" of. Chronic therapy may be necessary for depression. Do not, however, give up. Medication, psychotherapy, or both help most individuals with depression feel better.

Symptoms

Even while depression may only strike once in a lifetime, most people have several episodes. These bouts last for the majority of the day, almost every day, and can cause the following symptoms:

• Emotions such as melancholy, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Rage tantrums, impatience, or frustration—even in the face of trivial issues
• Loss of enjoyment or interest in most common activities, including sports, hobbies, and sex
• Sleep disorders, such as excessive sleep or insomnia
• Fatigue and low energy, so even simple chores need more work
• Greater food cravings and weight growth or decreased appetite and weight loss
• Agitation, restlessness, or anxiety
• Sluggish speech, thinking, or moving
• Remorse or worthlessness, obsessing over mistakes made in the past or self-blame
• Difficulties with focus, memory, decision-making, and thinking
• Thoughts of death, suicidal ideas, attempts at suicide, or thoughts of death on a regular or repeated basis
• Undiagnosed medical conditions like headaches or back pain

Many depressed individuals typically experience symptoms that are severe enough to interfere noticeably with daily activities, including job, school, social interactions, and interpersonal relationships. Without truly understanding why, some people may feel generally dissatisfied or unhappy.

Depression symptoms in children and teens

Children and teenagers who are depressed often exhibit comparable signs and symptoms to adults, though there may be some variations.

Depression in younger children might manifest as aches and pains, clinginess, anger, melancholy, concern, refusal to attend school, or underweightness.

Teens may experience symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, a sense of worthlessness and negativity, poor academic performance or low attendance, feeling highly sensitive and misunderstood, abusing drugs or alcohol recreationally, binge eating or sleeping excessively, self-harm, losing interest in typical activities, and avoiding social situations.

Depression symptoms in older adults

Depression should never be taken lightly and is not a normal aspect of aging. Unfortunately, older persons who suffer from depression frequently go undetected and untreated, and they may be unwilling to ask for treatment. In older persons, depression symptoms could be different or less evident. Examples of these symptoms include:

• Problems with memory or shifts in temperament
• Anxiety or pain in the body
• Not brought on by a disease or medication, such as exhaustion, appetite loss, sleep issues, or lack of desire in sex
• Reluctant to venture outside or try new things and frequently preferring to stay home
• Feelings or thoughts of suicide, particularly in elderly men

When to see a doctor

Schedule a visit with your physician or mental health specialist as soon as possible if you're feeling down. Talk to a friend or loved one, a health care provider, a religious leader, or anyone else you trust if you're hesitant to get help.

Causes

Depression's precise cause is unknown. Numerous causes could be at play, just like in many mental disorders:

• Distinctions in biology. Brain anatomical changes seem to be present in depressed individuals. Though their exact relevance is currently unknown, these changes could eventually lead to the identification of causes.
• Mental chemistry. Depression is probably influenced by neurotransmitters, which are organic brain chemicals. According to recent studies, depression and its treatment may be significantly impacted by modifications in the production, action, and interaction of these neurotransmitters with neurocircuits that serve to maintain mood stability.
• Hormons.Depression may be brought on by or exacerbated by changes in the body's hormone balance. Hormone shifts can arise from pregnancy, thyroid issues, menopause, and a variety of other diseases, as well as during the postpartum period, which is the weeks or months following delivery.
• Qualities inherited.People who have blood relatives with depression are more likely to experience this illness themselves. The goal of research is to identify potential depression-causing genes.

Risk factors

Although it can occur at any age, depression typically starts in the teens, 20s, or 30s. Although women are more likely than males to seek therapy, it's possible that this contributes to the higher diagnosis rate of depression among women.

The following appear to be risk factors for depression or to activate depression:

• Some psychological characteristics, like having low self-worth and being too reliant, critical of oneself, or pessimistic
• traumatic or distressing incidents, like sexual or physical abuse, losing a loved one, going through a rough patch in a relationship, or having money troubles
• Biological family members having a history of drinking, bipolar disorder, depression, or suicide
• Previous history of additional mental illnesses, such as PTSD, eating disorders, or anxiety disorders
• Drinking too much alcohol or using recreational drugs excessively Severe or long-term illnesses including cancer, stroke, heart disease, or chronic pain Certain pharmaceuticals, like as sleeping pills or high blood pressure meds (see your doctor before quitting any medication)

Complications

It can have a severe impact on you and your family, depression is a serious condition. Ignoring depression can lead to worsening symptoms that impact all aspects of your life, including emotional, behavioral, and physical issues.

The following are a few instances of difficulties linked to:

• Obesity and excess weight, which can cause diabetes and heart problems
• A bodily ailment or pain
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Panic attacks, social anxiety, or anxiety
• Relationship troubles, work or school issues, and family disputes
• Social seclusion
• thoughts of suicide, acts of suicide, or suicidality
• Self-mutilation by slashing
• early demise brought on by illnesses

Prevention

• Depression cannot be completely avoided. These tactics, though, might be useful.
• A bodily ailment or pain
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Panic attacks, social anxiety, or anxiety
• Relationship troubles, work or school issues, and family disputes
• Social seclusion
• thoughts of suicide, acts of suicide, or suicidality
• Self-mutilation by slashing
• early demise brought on by illnesses