Depression Treatment

Causes of depression

Depression can be an independent disease, or a part of other disease. Depression can be divided into different subtypes according to cause:

1. Reactive depression
This disease is simply a result from psychological stress, physical struggle or mental straining without proper rest or sleep over a long time period. The straining will simply wear out the nervous system or deplete the organism from nutrient necessary for the nervous system to work properly.

2. Endogenous depression
When there has not been any period of stress, straining or lack of rest that can explain the condition, the condition is often called endogenous depression. Inheritance is thought to be a part of the cause.

3. Depression by physical disease
Depression or depressive symptoms may be a symptom of physical disease. This is perhaps the most common cause of depression. Diseases often associated with depression are: Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, hypertension or Cushing’s syndrome.
4. Depressive symptoms as a consequence of unsound lifestyle
A general unsound lifestyle with too less exercise, too much of stimulants like alcohol, coffee or tea, too less of important nutrient and too much of sugar and fat may give depressive symptoms, as well as physical problems.

5. Postnatal depression
Women will often have a period of depression after pregnancy and berth of the baby Pregnancy and berth is physically and mentally exhausting, and may drain the body for nutrient. This in turn can cause depressive symptoms.

6. Seasonal affective disorder
Depression can occur in cold and dark periods of the year and go away in warm and light periods. Light stimulates brain activity, and lack of light is a causative factor.
Depression could be developed by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. No specific cause for depression has been identified, but a number of factors are believed to be involved.

• Heredity - Certain types of depression seem to run in certain families.
• Psychological factors related to depression include the complex development of one’s personality and how one has learned to cope with external environmental factors such as stress.
• Personality - People with certain personality traits are more likely to become depressed.
• Early experiences – Events such as the death of a parent, abandonment or rejection, neglect, chronic illness, and physical, psychological, or sexual abuse can also increase the likelihood of depression later in life.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes depression as one of its major symptoms.
• Life experiences – difficult life events, job loss, poverty, financial difficulties, gambling addiction, long periods of unemployment, the loss of a spouse or other family member, divorce, or other traumatic events may trigger depression. Long-term stress at home, work, or school can also be involved. Even happy events, such as childbirth, can be stressful and cause postpartum depression.
• Medical conditions – Certain illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, mononucleosis, hypothyroidism, and organic brain damage caused by degenerative conditions such as Parkinson disease, Multiple Sclerosis or by traumatic blunt force injury may contribute to depression, as may certain prescription drugs such as birth control pills and steroids. Gender dysphoria can also cause depression.
• Medications - Some medications used for long periods, such as certain blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills, and even birth control pills in some cases, can cause depression.
• Diet – Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as folic acid and B-12, may cause depression.
• Alcohol and other drugs – Alcohol can have a negative effect on mood, and misuse of alcohol, benzodiazepine-based tranquilizers, and sleeping medications can all play a major role in the length and severity of depression.
• Postpartum depression (also known as postnatal depression) – About two new mothers out of a thousand experience the more serious depressive disorder Postnatal Psychosis which includes hallucinations and/or delusions.
• Living with a depressed person – Those living with someone suffering from depression experience increased anxiety and life disruption, increasing the possibility of also becoming depressed.

The association between depression and smoking is well established. A history of major depressive disorder is associated with a decreased ability to quit smoking and an increased likelihood of smoking relapse. Read more about Nicotin addiction treatment.