Millions of people get depressed everyday due to the stressful modern lifestyle. Some people are more predisposed to depression due to heredity or hormones. Hormonal imbalance affects not only bodily system including mental disposition as well. Normally, women who just gave birth experience post-partum depression as a result of the sudden drop in hormones. After a few months, the mother can adjust to her new baby and resume a normal lifestyle. Adults who also experienced early trauma during childhood days experience depression at a higher rate. Sudden changes in life events can trigger also depression since people usually resist change. In an economic downturn, people can become seriously depressed as they lose jobs and face high mortgage loans that needs to be paid. In fact, during the Great Depression period, a lot of income earners (usually husbands) committed suicide or abandoned their family as a way of reacting to troubled times. Changes in marital life such as divorce or death of a spouse is a stressful event that individuals who experience such situations find a hard time coping with reality.

Nevertheless, depression can also simply a case of chemical imbalance in the brain due to lack of neurotransmitters such as serotonin or epinephrine. No matter what causes depression, it is important to arrest the case as early as possible especially when the behavior manifested indicate symptoms of severe depression. A major depression is characterized by very low self-esteem, loss of interest in things that used to be pleasurable such as a hobby, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, chronic sadness and mood swings. It is also possible that the person talks about impending death or considering suicide. When these traits manifest, the person is severely depressed. Severe depression is not easy to treat since it is already a mental disorder that should be handled by a health professional. It is possible that the person may also have hallucinations and delusions.

Psychiatrists usually prescribe medicines that would stop the hallucinations since the person can commit acts that are not safe such as hurting oneself. Severe depression symptoms include hearing voices inside one’s head and seeing things that do not exist. The person can become irritable or angry at most times although there is no rational explanation. Feelings of inadequacy or guilt are often felt by people who are severely depressed. In such cases, it is best to seek a mental health professional before the person can hurt himself or other people.

Depression is experienced by millions of people as they go through daily living. This type of mood disorder bring feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and can even lead to suicidal tendencies when unchecked. Sadly, most people experiencing depression dismiss most of its symptoms and consider the feelings as “blues” or “downtime”. Later, episodes of depression slowly impairs normal function such as working, eating, sleeping and maintaining interpersonal relationships. A depressed person may become withdrawn, lose interest in one’s hobbies and stop socially interacting even with loved ones. Indeed, recurring bouts of depression should immediately be arrested lest it impairs healthy living. It is not easy to overcome depression since it is not just a feeling but a serious type of disorder that needs therapy and/or medication from a mental health professional. Usually, a psychiatrist prescribes anti-depressants that can correct the chemical imbalance that produces depressive symptoms.

Nevertheless, it is a must for people with depression to undergo psychoanalytic sessions in order to detect the underlying causes of the disorder. The good news is that there are many available medicines that can be safely used by affected people so they can resume their normal lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the different types of depression that can affect a person, namely:

Major Depressive Disorder

When this is experienced by an individual, the person’s normal lifestyle is drastically affected since even his sleeping or eating habits have changed. More so, the person completely lost interest in activities that were once interesting such as hobbies. This type can recurrent and emotionally debilitating that is why medical attention should be sought once symptoms are detected.

Postpartum Depression

After giving birth, there is a sudden shift in hormonal balance in women thus depression sets in from a period of one to six months.

Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms of this depression includes sudden emotional highs or lows which seems like a roller coaster ride. This sudden change in mood can lead to reckless behavior ( such as deviant sexual behavior) that can be destructive. This can be corrected by psychotherapy and drug treatment.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Commonly known as SAD, people experience lethargy and sadness when subject to gloomy weather such as winter and even overcast days.

Substance induced mood disorder As the name implies, some medications can also induce depression especially when abused. Other toxins such as alcohol can influenced moods and produce depression.

Among the mental health disorders, depression is one of the most common that affects people from all walks of life regardless of age and gender. The World Health Organization reports that there are no less than 120 million people affected by the disorder which is the leading cause of disability. Higher incidence of depression is predicted to rise due to the stressful lifestyle of modern living. For this reason, depression should be immediately treated once symptoms are present. Medical health professionals such as psychiatrist are equipped with training and education to handle depression ranging from mild cases to severe ones. Common symptoms of depression include change in eating or sleeping habits, lethargy, feelings of low self-esteem, disinterest in hobbies, loss of focus on tasks, and social withdrawal.

Some people disregard the symptoms thinking that it is normal to feel blue from time to time; however, unchecked recurrent bouts with depression can become complicated as it develops to a more sever type known as bipolar depressions. There is also a high correlation between depression and suicide since most people who commit suicide are initially depressed. The key to solving mental health depression is effective primary healthcare. As soon as symptoms are detected, an individual can consult a psychiatrist for a complete assessment of the severity and type of depression.

There are many types of depression such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, Post-partum(for women who gave birth), substance induced, bipolar disorder, major depression or even psychotic. Once an accurate type of depression is diagnosed, appropriate treatment can be given. Mental health depression is usually treated by antidepressant medications such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). These are newer types of medicines that usually correct the chemical imbalance in the brain and thereby improve mood. Increased levels of norepinephrine helps in fighting depression. There are some types of depression ( like bipolar disorder) that are unresponsive to mild medications and are usually treated with Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

However, MAOIs are not well tolerated by some people since it has side effects. It is also possible to combine medication with psychotherapy to relieve depression. Having a health professional to share one’s thoughts with is comforting and therapeutic. Lastly, depression can also be fought by getting adequate sleep (7-8 hrs. daily) that would relax the mind and body so it can build immunity against other diseases.