DEPRESSION

Many factors play a part in depression such as genetics, environment, life events, medical conditions and the way people react to things that happen in their lives or their copying styles. There are many reasons for depression such as:

Genetics
Some people inherit genes that make it easier for them to get depressed, i.e. depression that runs in families. In other cases, many people that do not have a family history of depression could also have the condition.

Family and social environment
Factors that lead to depression for some teens are a negative, stressful or unhappy family atmosphere. Other factors include high stress living situations such as poverty, homelessness and violence. Chemical changes in the brain which are caused by substance abuse can also affect ones mood and lead to depression.

Life-Events
Having a loved one pass away can be a huge shock to ones system and lead to depression. Separation, remarrying and changing schools can trigger depression.

Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can affect the balance of body hormones and physical illnesses can cause depression for some teens. Hypothyroidism causes depression in some people. Tinnitus can also be a contributing factor to depression. Tinnitus is known as ringing in the ears, commonly found in older people and people who are stressed. Some anti depressive drugs have side affect that may cause tinnitus instead of treating the depression. Talk therapy normally works better than conventional drugs, and by treating the depression in this way the chances of the tinnitus being treated are also higher.

What happens in the brain during depression?

Chemicals called neurotransmitters help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. When these chemicals run low, people experience depressed, anxious or stressed states of mind. A person may experience depression sometimes without having any particular sad or stressful situations. When a person who is depressed develops tinnitus, their whole mind tends to become absorbed and focused on this constant ringing or buzzing noise. With no hope to getting the ringing to stop, depressed patients often become worse.

Types of depression

Symptoms of depression

If you suffer for 2 weeks or longer with five or more of the above symptoms you could be depressed. Teens that are depressed may indicate signs or symptoms such as:

Depression is different from regular sadness as a period of sadness is usually brief and subsides with time and care. Depression is more than an occasional feeling and lasts for weeks, months or even longer. Depression affects a person’s thoughts, moods, behavior and outlook and has a huge impact on day to day life.

Treatment for depression

Depression is one of the most common emotional problems affecting teens and adults around the world, but it is also one of the most treatable conditions. Therapists and other professionals can help. Treatment can include medication, talk therapy or both.
Talk therapy can help people understand why they feel depressed and try to identify ways to combat the reasons for their depression.
Medicines recommended for depression can take a few weeks before one feels any different.
Mood- boosting activities for depression have also been identified to help. These include: