Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and functions. By understanding the causes, signs, and treatments, you can manage and cope with this condition better. To help you know more, here is a primer on depression.

Causes

• Family history
  Researchers are still trying to find out the genes that may be involved in causing this mood disorder. A family history of depression or another mood disorder puts you at a higher risk.

• Hormone levels
  Changes in hormone levels may cause or trigger depression. Women are more at risk, as there are changes in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause.

• Brain chemistry
  Changes in the function and effect of neurotransmitters may have a significant role in causing depression.

• Certain medical conditions
  Medical conditions such as insomnia, chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, heart attack, and cancer can trigger symptoms of depression in some people.

• Biological factors
  Biological factors like inflammation, immune system suppression, and nutritional deficiencies could also trigger the symptoms of depression.

• Life events
  Stress, trauma, and the death of a loved one can cause depression.

Symptoms
The symptoms of depression include the following.

• Feelings of hopelessness
  Feelings of sadness or hopelessness are the most common symptom of this mood disorder.

• Fatigue
  Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Daily routine tasks may seem difficult to complete due to a lack of energy.

• Loss of interests
  Hobbies, past times, social activities, sex, and other things that you enjoy may not appeal to you anymore.

• Trouble concentrating
  Trouble focusing is another sign of depression. You may have difficulty remembering things or making decisions.

• Anxiety
  Anxiety, restlessness, or feeling tense are all symptoms depressed people experience.

• Anger
  You may feel angry or frustrated even over small matters.

• Sleep disturbances
  Insomnia or sleep changes, including oversleeping or waking in the early hours of the morning, are signs to watch for.

• Appetite changes
  You may have a reduced or increased appetite as you could either not feel hungry or eat more than usual.

• Suicidal thoughts
  You may even have frequent or recurrent suicidal or self-harm thoughts.

• Unexplained aches and pains
  You may have unexplained headaches, back pain, muscle aches, or stomach pain.

Treatment
To effectively treat depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is used.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  These are the most commonly prescribed treatment options. These regulate the chemical serotonin in the brain.

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  They are prescribed only if SSRI and TCAs are not successful in treating depression. MAOIs increase the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and tyramine in the brain.

• N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists
  NMDA antagonists work by increasing the levels of glutamate in the brain. They are used only when other treatments are not successful.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves speaking to a therapist to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Some commonly used forms of psychotherapy are as follows.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  In this therapy, people learn to identify negative behaviors, reactions, and beliefs that contribute to depression. The therapist works with the patient in replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones.

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  In this therapy, an individual practices acknowledgment and acceptance of their negative thoughts and behaviors. This way, people learn to cope with their negative emotions and regulate their reactions to them.

• Interpersonal therapy
  Relationships also affect mood leading to depression. In this therapy, the therapist examines the relationship with important people in your life and helps find ways of resolving conflicts.

Depression can be temporary or long-term. The right combination of medications and therapies can help make symptoms more manageable for a better quality of life.