Depression is a very common condition that is believed by many experts to be the number one cause of disability in the world.  Depression is a medical disorder with a biological and chemical basis. Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Depression is more common in adults than in children, but it does occur in children. When children are depressed, their symptoms might be different from adults. Certain medical conditions or medications can cause depression or symptoms that look like depression. For example, hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) can look like depression in some people. Depression is much more than grieving or a bout of the blues.  Depression in children and adolescents can look quite distinct from that of adults. Irritability—rather than depression—is frequently the predominant mood. Depression in Men – Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a pattern of depression related to changes in seasons and a lack of exposure to sunlight. People afflicted with SAD may notice that they become depressed in the winter months. It may cause headaches, irritability and a low energy level. Dysthymia  is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. Having dysthymia places you at an increased risk of major depression. Depression can also cause a wide variety of physical complaints, such as gastrointestinal problems (indigestion, constipation or diarrhea), headache and backache. Depression also afflicts many poor single working mothers of young children.  Signs  and  symptoms of depression including is Changes in appetite (decreased appetite most common) often signaled by rapid weight gain or loss. Changes in weight. An increased or reduced appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss may indicate depression. Children, teens and older adults may react differently to depression.

Older adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional symptoms of depression, and so their mood disorder often goes unrecognized. Older people may be more willing to discuss the physical manifestations of depression, instead of their emotional difficulties. Loss of interest in normal daily activities. Poor concentration, attention and/or memory. Medicines are commonly used to treat depression. Psychotherapy is sometimes called “talking therapy.” It is used to treat mild and moderate forms of depression. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is a procedure in which an electric current is used to produce a seizure in the patient. Hormone replacement is a treatment currently used to relieve symptoms of menopause such as night sweats and hot flashes. Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants  medications also affect neurotransmitters, but by a different mechanism than that of SSRIs. Tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline.

Depression Treatment  Tips

1. SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) such as fluoxetine (eg Prozac) and paroxetine (eg Seroxat) are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant.

2. Tricyclics are as effective as SSRIs, but they can have different side-effects

3. There are several other types of antidepressants which work in a different way from SSRIs and tricyclics.

4. Electric current is passed through the brain, while the person is under general anaesthetic.

5. Other treatments, such as a combination of cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapy, have a much lower rate of relapse.