Depression

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What is…

Depression is a far deeper and more unpleasant condition than the temporary feelings of unhappiness most of us experience from time to time. Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or constantly having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all; instead they feel lifeless, empty and apathetic. Depression interferes with daily life and “normal” functioning, and it causes pain for both the person with depression and those who care about them.

Many people suffering from depression never seek treatment – even though the vast majority could get better with support, whether this is with medication or other methods.

Causes

The causes of depression are quite complex. Experts believe that depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. It is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain and is not simply cured with medication. However, certain risk factors make you more vulnerable to depression. These include:

Loneliness
Stressful life experiences
Family history of depression
Financial strain
Alcohol or drug abuse
Unemployment or underemployment
Health problems or chronic pain

Symptoms

The symptoms of depression include:

Losing interest in life
Finding it harder to make decisions
Not coping with things that used to be manageable
Exhaustion
Feeling restless and agitated
Loss of appetite and weight
Difficulties getting to sleep