Striving for More MemoryDefense Against SuperbugImportance of VitaminsResist Against DiabetesSymptoms of DiabetesDetection of Red-Hot HormoneDiabetes AttackShelter Your Body in RainCholesterol ControlPreventive Steps for Foot CareAwareness of AllergiesPregnancy at risk during DiabetesHow to keep your Heart HealthyWater Serves BestWomen’s Heart Attack: SignsKnow your treatmentsBenefits of Ginseng for Breast CancerDon’t give up from Breast CancerMammograms turn’s onGet ReliefImmediate steps for MammogramQueries of Breast CancerFact files of breast cancerAll About AnemiaAvoid drinksTips for Healthier LivingDefense against Computer vision syndromeDryness in monsoonGoodnight SleepTackle your affluenzaCaring your eyesAbout EaracheEye-sight powerHealth orderSniffer DogsEmphasize on Your LiverMagical HandsHome & Herbal Benefits All about MenopauseNight Vision ProblemsDeath Threat ScoresHealth Care Priorities With TimeNew Role of ViagraSymptoms of GERD Sight UnseenWhitening Tips For Your Teeth11 Breast Cancer Myths BustedDouble VisionStop Bugging Your BrainGet Rid of WartsDon’t relinquish from Eyes FatigueMyths of CancerImportance of Vitamin DUps & Downs of Joints Pain Stomach Dilemma Status Quo of weight lossKnow More about Arthritis PainHealing Power of Your Mind24 Warning SignsIt’s about 10%Know about Chiropractic Turn Off DiseasesOptimistic HeartProtect Yourself from Medication Mix-UpsKnow about Bypass SurgeryDue Care for DepressionExistence of DepressionDepression TreatmentAll about LASIKOvercome with Weight ProblemDon’t afraid of the Andropause!Run away from Back PainCommon Problems of EyesFAQ of Health (Body Building)Don’t Relinquish under Foot PainBacteria FightStress may raise your CholesterolUseful tips of Ear ProblemsWomen’s Weight ProblemPoints to Hang-Up
Existence of Depression
There is no single cause of depression. But brain chemistry appears to play a major role. Brain chemicals (called "neurotransmitters") convey messages between the nerves. Imbalances in at least
three of these chemicals seem to be linked to depression. The chemicals are serotonin, dopamine and nor epinephrine. But scientists don't as yet fully understand how imbalances in these chemicals cause the signs and symptoms of depression.* Genes: Depression tends to run in families, and some children may be born with inadequate levels of these mood-regulating chemicals. No single gene is thought to be responsible for transmitting the risk for developing depression. Instead, the thinking is that multiple genes are probably interacting to create what amounts to a genetic baseline level of risk. Researchers have identified several genes that may be involved in one type of depression, and they're looking for genes linked to other types of depression. On top of that baseline of genes, a mix of environmental factors also works as triggers for depression. They include:
*Stress: Stressful life events or situations can trigger depression. Unrealistic expectations or life goals, or major obstacles to life goals, may also increase the risk of major depression.
*Hormones: Women experience depression about twice as much as Han, which leads researchers to believe hormonal factors may play a role. Many mental health professionals believe that hormonal changes during pregnancy, miscarriage, menstruation, the period following childbirth, premenopause and menopause may lead to a major depressive episode.
However, it's important also to remember that
the disparity in numbers of depressed men and women may be related to the fact that women are more willing to report symptoms of depression than men are. Men tend to deny having problems because they are expected to "be strong." They are also less likely to show the "typical" signs of depression such as crying, sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, or to verbally express thoughts of suicide. Instead, men are more likely to keep their feelings hidden, but may become more irritable and aggressive. For these reasons, many men - as well as their doctors - fail to recognize the problem as depression. Some mental-health professionals suggest that if the symptoms of depression were expanded to include anger, blame, lashing out and abuse of alcohol, more men might be diagnosed with depression.* Drugs: Either drug use or withdrawal from a drug can cause significant and persistent depression. The drug may be a medication or a drug of abuse. Medications where long-term use can bring on depression include some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills or, occasionally, birth control pills. Abuse drugs include alcohol, nicotine and mood-altering drugs.
* Medical conditions: Certain illnesses
(including Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and stroke, and diabetes, viral infections - among them, HIV - and certain cancers) can produce symptoms of major depression. The risk of major depression in those with adult onset diabetes is estimated to be as high as 25 per cent. In addition, as many as 70% of patients with diabetic complications, such as kidney failure is found to be affected more by depression. Stroke or heart attack survivors also have a higher risk for major depression.In addition, the relatives, especially children, of chronically ill or hospitalized patients are at increased risk for major depression.
* Nutritional deficiency: Several studies report a link between low levels of vitamin B12 and major depression. The likelihood of such a link is strengthened by the fact that vitamin B12 intake may improve the chances of recovery from depression.
* Personality: While depression is not "all in the mind", certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical, pessimistic and easily overwhelmed by stress, can make you more vulnerable to depression.