Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Depressed people can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt, or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains, or digestive problems may also be present. Chances of suffering with major depression is higher for adults with coronary heart disease. Depression is one of the leading sources of disability.
Depressed mood is not always a psychiatric disorder. It may also be a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions, or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments. Depressed mood is also a primary or associated feature of certain psychiatric syndromes such as clinical depression.
Causes
Lifestyle factors that may play a role in depressed moods include irregular sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Obesity and depression are correlated with each other. Depression can be a risk factor resulting from obesity; but obesity can also be resulting due to the existence of depression already present. Depression is also linked to socioeconomic status
Life events and changes that may precipitate depressed mood include childbirth, menopause, financial difficulties, job problems, a medical diagnosis (cancer, HIV, etc.), bullying, loss of a loved one, natural disasters, social isolation, relationship troubles, separation, and catastrophic injury.
Certain medications are known to cause depressed mood in a significant number of patients. These include hepatitis C drug therapy and some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine. Medications to cure physical illness can cause depression.
Treatment
Depressed mood may not require any professional treatment, and may be a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions, or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments. A prolonged depressed mood, especially in combination with other symptoms, may lead to a diagnosis of a psychiatric or medical condition by a counselor or doctor, which may benefit from treatment. Different sub-divisions of depression have different treatment approaches. The promotion of a healthy lifestyle is a positive approach to living that leads individuals toward realizing their highest potential for well-being - a life free from any sort of illness. Lifestyle strategies that may improve depressed mood include wake therapy, light therapy, eating a healthy diet, meditation, exercise, and smoking cessation. Exercise is found to be as effective as psychotherapy on depressed individuals. Exercise also helps lowers levels of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity which are disorders that possibly lead to depression.
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