The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a depressed individual as experiencing feelings of helplessness, sadness and hopelessness. However, depressed of synonymous with sad. But both non-clinical depression and clinical depression can refer to conglomeration of more than a feeling.
Biological influences of depression are many, but most relate to heredity, malnutrition, seasons, hormones, illness, stress, alcohol or drug use, back injury, long term exposure to mold and dampness, neurotransmitter malfunction and to aerosol exposure. There are correlations between depression and sleep difficulties. About 90 % patients suffering from depression are found to have sleepless nights.
Reasons of Depression
There is no particular reason for depression. There are many factors playing a role behind making individuals depressed. The causes include environment, genetics, medical conditions, life events and the way people react to the things that take place in their lives.Genetics
According to various research works, depression runs in many families and some people inherit their genes, which make it more obvious for them to get depressed. However, not everybody who has genetic makeup for depression gets depressed. There are also many people who do not have any family history of depression but still have that condition. So, although genes are a factor, they are not the single reason behind depression.Life Events
The demise of pals, family member or domestic pets may deeply wound us mentally and are prone to cause depression. Also events such as changing or moving schools can be enough emotional challenging for a person to become depressed.Family and Social Environment
For teens, a stressful or negative or unhappy family atmosphere may affect their self-esteem and cause depression. This may also include high-stress living conditions like homelessness, poverty and violence in relationships, family or community.Substance abuse and use may also lead to chemical changes in brain which affect mood—some drugs and alcohol are known to have some depressant effects. The negative personal and social consequences of substance abuse can also lead to severe depression and unhappiness.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical situations can affect hormone balance and thus have an effect on the mood. Some of the conditions like hypothyroidism are known to lead to depressed mood in some of the people. When these medicinal conditions are diagnosed and taken care of by the doctor, the depression disappears usually.For some of the young students, undetected learning disabilities may hamper educational achievements, the abnormal hormone secretion can badly affect general mental condition mood, or physical sickness can generate unwanted results or hurdles.
Depression is a disease that affects about millions of Americans each and every year. So, it is very essential to take steps to get out of this disease to experience a fun-filled and smooth life.
