What is depression?

Major depression is a serious medical condition. Everyone experiences “ups” and “downs” in their life. But for some people the “downs” can outweigh the “ups”. This can cause problems with everyday activities such as eating, sleeping, working, and getting along with friends. If this happens over a few weeks a doctor should be consulted.

Major depression is very common. Nearly twice as many women (6.5%) as men (3.3% suffer from depression each year.

The good news is that depression can be managed.

What are some signs and symptoms of depression?

Persons who exhibit some or all of the following symptoms may be suffering from depression:

• Lethargy: loss of energy and/or motivation;
• Aches and pains with no physical cause;
• Changes in sleep patterns – insomnia, hypersomnia, sleeping during the day and up during the night;
• A depressed or empty mood;
• A loss of pleasure in activities;
• A substantial unplanned weight loss or gain;
• Restlessness, irritability;
• Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness;
• Excessive or inappropriate guilt;
• Difficulty in thinking clearly;
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

What causes depression?

Although the exact cause of depression is unknown, it may be due to chemical imbalances in the brain. Serotonin and norepinephrine are 2 chemicals used by some nerve cells to communicate. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are thought to be linked to depression. Therefore, medications that affect these neurotransmitters may play a role in treating depression.