Depression

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Definition:
Prolonged sadness; page 501

An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks about things. The signs and symptoms of depression include loss of interest in activities that were once interesting or enjoyable, including sex; loss of appetite, weight loss or overeating.

Here are a few of the things that can play a role in depression.

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 * **Biology.** We still don't know exactly what happens in the brain when people become depressed. But studies show that certain parts of the brain don't seem to be working normally. Depression might also be affected by changes in the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters.
 * **Genetics.** Researchers know that if depression runs in your family, you have a higher chance of becoming depressed.
 * **Gender.** Studies show that women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. No one's sure why. The hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may be a factor.
 * **Age.** People who are elderly are at higher risk of depression. That can be compounded by other factors -- living alone and having a lack of social support.
 * **Health conditions.** Conditions such as cancer, heart disease, thyroid problems, chronic pain, and many others increase your risk of becoming depressed.
 * **Trauma and grief.** Trauma, such as violence or physical or emotional abuse -- whether it's early in life or more recent -- can trigger depression. Grief after the death of a friend or loved one is in itself a normal emotion, but like all forms of loss can sometimes lead to depression.
 * **Changes and stressful events.** It's not surprising that people might become depressed during stressful times -- such as during a divorce or while caring for a sick relative. Yet even positive changes -- like getting married or starting a new job -- can sometimes trigger depression.
 * **Medications and substances.** Many prescription drugs can cause symptoms of depression. Alcohol or substance abuse is common in depressed people. It often makes their condition worse.

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Depression Symptoms

 * BAD CRISES **:
 * B **ehavioural change (slowing down or agitation)
 * A **ppetite change (weight loss or weight gain in the young)
 * D **epressed look (looking down)
 * C **oncentration decrease (does not do serial 7s well)
 * R **uminations (constant negative thoughts, hopelessness good indicator of suicidality)
 * I **nterest (reduced interest in what is normally pleasurable)
 * S **leep change (insomnia or hypersomnia, sleeping early, waking up at night, waking up feeling tired)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">E **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">nergy change (fatigue)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">S **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">uicide

**A sad faces:**

 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">A **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">ppetite, weight changes


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">S **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">leep changes


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">A **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">nhedonia


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">D **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">ysphoria (low mood)


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">F **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">atigue


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">A **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">gitation (psychomotor)


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">C **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">oncentration


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">E **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">steem


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">S **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: X,verdana,helvetica,geneva,X; font-size: 12px;">uicide

In the News:
[|http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120227162656.htm#.T4Msk3dFb2M.link] [|Depression Symptoms and Types] [|Depression Causes]

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