What Is Depression

Depression is a very widespread problem today, affecting one in four women and one in eight men. It is important to be aware of the many symptoms of depression, including feelings of hopelessness or helplessness, obsessive negative thoughts, loss or gain in appetite, insomnia or an increased need for sleep, social withdrawal, irritability and loss of memory or concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. It is tempting to think that depression is just sadness and that the causes of depression will simply disappear by itself. This condition should, instead, never be underestimated and those who are depressed should seek professional help.

Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 118.

Whether causes of depression are hereditary or not, there is a physiological basis to the problem, which refutes claims that depression is nothing more than a bad mood that will pass. Low serotonin levels have been shown to be one of the causes of depression, and loss of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus has also been identified as one of the causes of depression.

Seasonal affective disorder is amongst the causes of depression as well, and it has been shown that those who are deprived of light and warmth in the wintertime can become depressed. The “winter blues” is a problem tied to shorter days and longer nights. Seasonal effective disorder can develop into full-blown depression if not treated appropriately. Hormones may also play a role in depression, especially among women who suffer from Pre-Menstrual Syndrome or post-partum depression.