Depression

Depression is a medical condition known as a mood disorder.  One in five adults will suffer from depression at sometime in their lives, and depression is twice as common in woman than it is in men.¹

We all have low moods from time to time, but  feeling ‘down in the dumps’ or ‘blue’ is not depression.  Depression is a term used to describe a more severe disorder that a person has, on a daily basis, for at least two weeks.  This disorder affects their body and state of mind¹. 

The symptoms of depression include the following:²

• depressed mood
• loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
• significant weight loss or weight gain
• sleep disturbances
• restlessness or slowing down
• fatigue
• feelings of worthlessness
• diminished ability to think, make decisions, or concentrate
• recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

These symptoms cause marked social or occupational impairment². 

The exact cause of depression is not clear, and it is believed that depression can be caused by various different factors; including biological, genetic, and psychosocial factors.  Most often these three factors interact to cause depression²

Scientists have discovered a link between depression and an imbalance of various chemicals in the brain, called serotonin, norepinephrine (also known as noradrenalin) and dopamine².  There are various drugs that can rectify the chemical imbalance.  This makes depression a treatable condition.

References:
1. McKenzie K. Family Doctor Guide to Depression. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley; 2000.
2. Kaplan HI, Sadock BJ. Synopsis of Psychiatry. New York: Williams & Wilkins; 1994.