What are the signs of depression?
Some signs of mania are:
- Abnormal or excessive elation
- Unusual irritability
- Decreased need for sleep
- Grandiose notions
- Increased talking
- Racing thoughts
- Increased sexual desire
- Markedly increased energy
- Poor judgment
- Inappropriate social behavior
Some signs of depression are:
- Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Pessimism
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Decreased energy
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Insomnia
- Early-morning awakening
- Oversleeping Appetite and/or weight loss
- Overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Suicide attempts
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
What are the causes of depression?
Feeling down all of the time isn’t always a case of the blues. It can be caused by depression. Many things including the following can cause it:
Imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters -
Changes in these brain chemicals may cause or contribute to clinical depression.
- Certain diseases or illnesses -
Ailments such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and hormonal disorders can often trigger clinical depression. This is referred to as co-occurring depression.
- Negative thinking patterns -
People who are pessimistic, have low self-esteem, worry excessively, or feel they have little control over life events are more likely to develop clinical depression.
- Family history of depression -
A genetic history of clinical depression can increase one's risk for developing the illness. But depression also occurs in people who have had no family members with depression.
- Difficult life events -
Events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, financial strains, history of trauma, moving to a new location or significant loss can contribute to the onset of clinical depression.
- Certain medications -
Some medication can actually cause clinical depression. Therefore, it is important that people inform their doctors of all medications they are taking and report any depressive symptoms.
- Frequent and excessive alcohol consumption -
Drinking large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can sometimes lead to clinical depression. Excessive alcohol consumption is also sometimes a symptom of depression.
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