Depression, What Is It?

Depression is considered a state of mind or emotional state in which a person feels anxious, sad, unhappy, worthless, guilty, unexcitable, etc. In most cases, depression is quite treatable with the use of counselling or medication. In more extreme cases, depression may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions which will prompt a more aggressive approach to treatment. Almost all people will feel feelings of depression at some or other point in their lives and one must remember that this is completely normal. It is when depression begins to interfere with your daily life that it is considered problematic.

Many times a person may not even be aware of the fact that they are depressed and may be showing outward signs that appear quite normal. However, certain enjoyment begotten from certain activities do not hold as much joy for the person suffering from depression. At times, the person may feel frustrated with their inability to feel joy or satisfaction and this may result in over- compensatory behaviour or unusual behaviour that is contrary to the norm.

The school of psychiatry recognise depression as being a fundamental symptom in almost all noted psychiatric syndromes. These focus primarily on mood disorders in which depression plays a main role. Mood disorders include mild disorders which can be treated rather quickly and major mood disorders which require more time and more intensive treatment in order to overcome it. Major mood disorders feature a person being depressed for more than two weeks at a time and losing interest in almost all activities that are usually of interest to them.

Another main major mood disorder which is now growing in frequency is bipolar mood disorder. Bipolar disorder is somewhat different from clearly defined depression in that a person who suffers from bipolar can experience both highs and lows in their moods whereby the bipolar sufferer can experience weeks or months of elation and drop very suddenly to a few weeks of severe depression.

Depression is not necessarily limited to psychiatric disorders or psychological functioning. At times, depression may very well be the result of a physical defect or physical cause. For instance, certain viral infections, a lack of activity in the thyroid gland and even certain heart conditions can lead to feelings of depression. Certain chemical states within the brain itself can also lead to feelings of depression. Fortunately, certain physical causes of depression can treated more easily than those that are considered strictly psychological.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists maintain that depression, if not rooted in specific physical conditions, is due to certain chemical reactions in the brain. At times, the chemical condition within the brain may be hereditary and at other times may be the result of environmental influences, such as stress. Sometimes, it could be a bit of both.

Certain aspects may contribute to the development of depression:

Drug abuse.

Alcohol abuse.

Insomnia or over-sleeping or other sleeping disorders.

Medical conditions which include an underactive thyroid, heart conditions, cancers and chronic pain.

Stressful events which occur in one's life or environment which may include the loss of a loved one, divorce, job-loss and child abuse... to name a few.

The important thing to remember when faced with depression is to ascertain why you may be suffering from it. Secondly, do not wait until the depression gets the best of you. Have it addressed as quickly as you can so that you can avoid some painful episodes which you should, ideally, rather not experience in life.