We all experience low mood sometimes - it is a normal part of life especially after a loss or bereavement.
However, Clinical Depression goes beyond a normal response to a sad event. Clinical depression is a diagnosable condition which can leave people feeling severely sad, empty, hopeless, or guilty for weeks, months or even years.
It can affect every part of a person’s life: Relationships, Work, Physical health. And, at its most severe, it can be life-threatening.
A clinically depressed person cannot just ‘snap out of it’ and may need some professional assistance, and even treatment, to recover.
Signs
Depression affects people in different ways and can have a wide variety of symptoms. It usually includes:
- Feelings of unhappiness or hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Finding no pleasure in things that previously brought joy
People with depression may also experience anxiety.
They might be more irritable and quicker to anger or have other uncontrollable emotions.
Depression can also have physical symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Sleeping badly or much more than usual
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Loss of sex drive
Everyone experiences depression differently, and some people may feel shame about how they feel and try to hide or masque their feelings when in company.
What are the causes of depression?
There are many reasons why someone might have depression, there is no single or simple answer. Usually, it will be a combination of different reasons.
Some people are genetically predisposed to depression (i.e. if there is a family history of depression then a person may be more likely to have it themselves). However, it should be noted that there is no single gene responsible. It is more probable that a combination of genes each exert a small effect on a person which combine to affect overall mood.
A traumatic experience such as a violent incident, abuse or adverse childhood experience can also be a cause. (See also PTSD). Additionally, life events such as a sudden bereavement, loss of income or change in circumstances can trigger depression.
People who experience bullying and discrimination, such as racism or sexism, or who often feel lonely, or have low self-esteem are vulnerable to depression.
There are some physical causes of depression, for example it can be a side effect of certain medications or of substance misuse. Alcohol and drug use increases the risk of depression, especially when someone attempts to self-medicate, or ‘drown their sorrows’.
Long term serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease can be a cause, as can serious head injuries, underactive thyroid and even pregnancy.
Depression is often caused by a combination of different reasons and triggers.
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