Individuals affected with depression usually experience several bouts of depressive episodes. The symptoms almost occur every day and gradually begin interfering with the daily activities of the individual. The following are the signs and symptoms exhibited [6]:

• Too little sleep or excessive sleeping
• Loss of appetite accompanied by weight loss in some, while increase in appetite and weight gain in others
• Low level of mood characterized by loss of interest in normal activities
• Lack of energy, fatigue and difficulty in carrying out simple tasks
• Angry outbursts and feeling of irritation and frustration
• Poor concentration and inability to make decisions
• Feeling of worthlessness that causes suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts
• Unexplained physical ailments such as back ache and headache

• Pain

  Depressive disorders may constitute a risk factor for vulvodynia and occur as a secondary condition to pain. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  You're in pain. Depression and pain share some of the same biological pathways and neurotransmitters. About 75% of people with depression suffer recurring or chronic pain, research shows. [prevention.com]

• Fatigue

  OBJECTIVE: Fatigue after acquired brain injury may be related to the subcortico-frontal attention network. Depression is also strongly related to fatigue. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Unfortunately, people who have chronic fatigue syndrome may become depressed. And while depression doesn’t cause chronic fatigue syndrome, it can certainly cause increased fatigue. [healthline.com]

• Weight Gain

  Lidia’s diet consisted of fast food and soda but after noticing her weight gain was affecting her relationship with her husband, Lidia decided enough was enough and she started weight training. [youtube.com]

  The following symptoms can be due to clinical depressions: Changes in appetite being severe enough to cause weight gain or loss Constantly finding it either difficult to sleep or sleeping too often Difficulty relaxing and an increase in anger Constant [prescriptionpsychiatrists.com.ph]

  Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder. [nimh.nih.gov]

  Depression in women Women are more likely to experience depression symptoms such as pronounced feelings of guilt, excessive sleeping, overeating, and weight gain. [helpguide.org]

  But these factors may increase the risk: Interrupted or poor sleep Anxiety or a history of depression Stressful life events Weight gain or a higher body mass index (BMI) Menopause at a younger age Menopause caused by surgical removal of the ovaries Life [mayoclinic.org]

• Crying

  I didn’t know why I was going to cry, but I knew that if anybody spoke to me or looked at me too closely the tears would fly out of my eyes and the sobs would fly out of my throat and I’d cry for a week. [goodreads.com]

  Activity or Energy Level Physical Changes Caused by Depression Unexplained aches and pains Weight loss or gain Decreased or increased appetite Psychomotor agitation or retardation Emotional Pain of Depression Prolonged sadness Unexplained, uncontrollable crying [verywell.com]

  Sometimes it feels like a black hole but sometimes it feels like I need to cry and scream and kick and shout. Sometimes I go quiet and lock myself in my room and sometimes I have to be doing something at all times of the day to distract myself. [mind.org.uk]

  […] hopeless Feeling worthless Sleeping too much or too little Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable Loss of energy Difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions Changes in appetite that lead to weight loss or gain Uncontrollable crying [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  But more-serious or long-lasting depressed feelings may indicate postpartum depression, particularly if signs and symptoms include: Crying more often than usual Low self-esteem or feeling like you're a bad mom Anxiety or feeling numb Trouble sleeping, [mayoclinic.org]

• Weight Loss

  Physical health was determined based on information regarding falls and weight loss and an assessment of each patient's general medical condition. The treating physician evaluated current suicidality in a comprehensive and standardized way. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Changes in Activity or Energy Level Physical Changes Caused by Depression Unexplained aches and pains Weight loss or gain Decreased or increased appetite Psychomotor agitation or retardation Emotional Pain of Depression Prolonged sadness Unexplained, [verywell.com]

  How often have you been bothered that you have poor appetite, weight loss, or overeating over the last two weeks? NOT AT ALL SEVERAL DAYS MORE THAN HALF THE DAYS NEARLY EVERY DAY 5. [depression.org.nz]

  loss or gain Uncontrollable crying Headache Stomach ache Digestive problems Problems with sexual function Thoughts of death or suicide Attempting suicide If you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the following warning signs, contact a primary [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  Loss Wellbutrin Widow Widower Xanax Zoloft [depression.supportgroups.com]

• Overeating

  High-dose intravenous treatment with methylprednisolone over 5 days and oral dose reduction over 3 weeks led to the sustained improvement of clinical symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  How often have you been bothered that you have poor appetite, weight loss, or overeating over the last two weeks? NOT AT ALL SEVERAL DAYS MORE THAN HALF THE DAYS NEARLY EVERY DAY 5. [depression.org.nz]

• Loss of Appetite

  Symptoms Individuals with depression exhibit signs of sadness, lack of interest in various activities, loss of appetite or sudden increase in food cravings, lack of sleep, poor concentration, lack of energy and fatigue. [symptoma.com]

  […] of appetite ; and disturbed sleep or insomnia. [britannica.com]

  Symptoms: Sadness and or irritability Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities Loss of appetite—or increase in appetite Sleep disturbances—either insomnia or excessive sleeping Agitation or slowing in behavior Fatigue Feelings of worthlessness [nationalmssociety.org]

  Even the loss of appetite often seen in depression could be viewed as promoting analysis because chewing and other oral activity interferes with the brain’s ability to process information. [scientificamerican.com]

  Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as: Memory difficulties or personality changes Physical aches or pain Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition [mayoclinic.org]

• Nausea

  The present report discusses the case of a 70-year-old woman admitted to our institution due to sudden-onset nausea and vomiting. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Sometimes these emotions can show up in the body as aches or nausea. These feelings can also lead to weepiness. Other times, depression causes people to feel emotionally “numb.” It is common for people to feel as if they never have energy. [goodtherapy.org]

  For example, abruptly stopping an SSRI such as paroxetine can cause dizziness, nausea, flu -like symptoms, body aches, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and vivid dreams. [medicinenet.com]

• Increased Appetite

  Changes in Activity or Energy Level Physical Changes Caused by Depression Unexplained aches and pains Weight loss or gain Decreased or increased appetite Psychomotor agitation or retardation Emotional Pain of Depression Prolonged sadness Unexplained, [verywell.com]

  Other symptoms of atypical depression include weight gain, increased appetite, sleeping excessively, a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, and sensitivity to rejection. [helpguide.org]

• Constipation

  Thus, some TCAs can produce dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness upon standing. The dizziness results from low blood pressure that occurs upon standing (orthostatic hypotension ). [medicinenet.com]

• Eczema

  Pain Cirrhosis Cocaine Codependency College Colon Cancer Colorectal Cancer Coming Out Crohns Disease Cymbalta Cystic Fibrosis Dads Dementia Depression Diabetes Diverticulitis Divorce Dizziness Down Syndrome Drug Dyslexia EDNOS Eating Disorder Ecstasy Eczema [depression.supportgroups.com]

• Tinnitus

  Single Dads Single Moms Single Parents Singles Skin Cancer Skin Picking Sleep Apnea Sleep Walking Smoking Social Anxiety Social Security Spina Bifida Stress Stroke Stuttering Suboxone Sugar Addiction Suicide Surgery Teen Testicular Cancer Thyroid Cancer Tinnitus [depression.supportgroups.com]

• Low Back Pain

  In a Canadian study published in the journal Pain, people with depression were four times more likely to have intense or disabling neck and low back pain than those who were not depressed. [prevention.com]

• Feeling of Worthlessness

  […] of worthlessness Loss of self-esteem Despair Hopelessness Helplessness Difficult Moods Associated with Depression Irritability Anger Worry/anxiety Pessimism Indifference Self-critical Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression Inability to concentrate [verywell.com]

  […] of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment Substance abuse problems Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts [halfofus.com]

  […] of worthlessness that causes suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts Unexplained physical ailments such as back ache and headache A combination of tests would help in diagnosis of depression. [symptoma.com]

  […] of worthlessness or guilt having thoughts of self-harm or suicide feeling hopeless and helpless difficulty remembering things. [au.reachout.com]

  […] of worthlessness or hopelessness, or inappropriate or excessive guilt Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide plans or a suicide attempt Treating depression Getting appropriate treatment for depression can significantly improve quality of life. [alz.org]

• Anxiety Disorder

  Aim: To develop a visual screening tool for depression and anxiety disorders that is applicable across cultures and levels of education. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Low Self-Esteem

  For example, depression is not loneliness, it's not low self-esteem, and it's not being sad or distressed for good reasons. Those are all important and serious issues too, and they should be discussed, but this is not the place. [reddit.com]

  These issues can cause feelings of negativity, low self-esteem and lack of control over life. Work overload. Often women work outside the home and still handle home responsibilities. [mayoclinic.org]

  Adding psychological treatment to medication may be helpful for managing negative thoughts and low self-esteem and finding better coping strategies. [cancer.net]

  Depression is more than just sadness Symptoms are wide-ranging and typically include: Social isolation Anxiety Low motivation Low energy levels Low self-esteem Lack of interest in activities – even the ones you used to love How Neurocore’s depression [neurocorecenters.com]

• Social Isolation

  Although the criteria are similar to general diagnostic standards for major depression, they reduce emphasis on verbal expression and include irritability and social isolation. [alz.org]

  The desire for social isolation, for instance, helps the depressed person avoid situations that would require thinking about other things. [scientificamerican.com]

  Depression is more than just sadness Symptoms are wide-ranging and typically include: Social isolation Anxiety Low motivation Low energy levels Low self-esteem Lack of interest in activities – even the ones you used to love How Neurocore’s depression [neurocorecenters.com]

  Because social isolation is a serious problem for some older people, the study also examined social behavior and found that people who don't use hearing aids are considerably less likely to participate in social activities. [audiology.org]

  According to the Mayo Clinic, these include alcohol or drug abuse, anxiety, social isolation and relationship conflicts, work or school difficulties, or suicide. [livescience.com]

• Delusion

  Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). [nimh.nih.gov]

  Psychotic depression arises against a background of psychosis, which may involve symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia. [britannica.com]

  Sometimes depressive episodes can get so severe that hallucinations or delusions are present, the person becomes catatonic, or they feel stuck in bed. This is known as Psychotic Depression. Postpartum Depression occurs after giving birth. [psycom.net]

  Symptoms of severe mania may include agitation, confusion, hallucinations, or delusions. Schizophrenia that does not respond to medication. Living with depression The most important part of living with depression is not giving up. [familydoctor.org]

  Some people with severe depression also develop delusions and/or hallucinations. These are called psychotic symptoms. A delusion is a false belief that a person has, and most people from the same culture would agree that it is wrong. [patient.info]

• Headache

  RESULTS: A quick and complete abrogation of the depression ensued along with improvement of migraine headaches, insomnia, and chronic fatigue. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Symptoms can include Feeling sad or "empty" Loss of interest in favorite activities Overeating, or not wanting to eat at all Not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much Feeling very tired Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty Aches or pains, headaches [medlineplus.gov]

  […] change in appetite and/or weight Overreaction to criticisms Feeling unable to meet expectations Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches [halfofus.com]

  Side effects, which are usually temporary, include changes in sexual desire, digestive problems, headache, insomnia and nervousness. [livescience.com]

• Agitation

  Common symptoms include: Changes in sleep Changes in appetite Lack of concentration Loss of energy Lack of interest in activities Hopelessness or guilty thoughts Changes in movement (less activity or agitation) Physical aches and pains Suicidal thoughts [nami.org]

  Compound 7c was found to be the most promising compound, with EC 50 values of 396.5 and 383.0 μM agitating on MT 1 and MT 2 receptors, respectively. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Changes in Activity or Energy Level Physical Changes Caused by Depression Unexplained aches and pains Weight loss or gain Decreased or increased appetite Psychomotor agitation or retardation Emotional Pain of Depression Prolonged sadness Unexplained, [verywell.com]

  POMS measures levels of depression, anger, hostility, fatigue, and confusion, while DASS gauges other negative mood states as well, including hopelessness, lack of interest, anhedonia (lack of pleasure), agitation, irritability, and impatience with other [nutritionfacts.org]

  […] tearful) or decreased pleasure in usual activities, along with two or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer: Social isolation or withdrawal Disruption in appetite that is not related to another medical condition Disruption in sleep Agitation [alz.org]

• Insomnia

  Although there was partial improvement in the patient's mood and anxiety symptoms with antidepressant treatment, insomnia remained a persistent complaint despite adequate trials of different sleep medications. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Teen insomnia linked with depression, anxiety ... Physical fitness can help prevent young adolescents' depression, study finds ... [youtube.com]

  Side effects, which are usually temporary, include changes in sexual desire, digestive problems, headache, insomnia and nervousness. [livescience.com]

  Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk. [healthline.com]

• Difficulty Concentrating

  concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment Substance abuse problems [halfofus.com]

  The major symptoms of depression include the following: Feeling extremely sad, anxious, or "empty" Feeling hopeless Feeling worthless Sleeping too much or too little Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable Loss of energy Difficulty concentrating [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  It is characterized by weeks of such symptoms as low or sad mood, diminished interest in activities that used to be pleasurable, weight gain or loss, fatigue, inappropriate guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death. [nutritionfacts.org]

  If you have depression, some symptoms you might experience include: feeling down or ‘numb’ for longer than two weeks losing interest in activities that you used to enjoy feeling like you don’t get much pleasure out of things difficulty concentrating negative [au.reachout.com]

  concentrating or making decisions Suicidal thoughts or intentions Treatments Although depressive disorder can be a devastating illness, it often responds to treatment. [nami.org]

• Personality Change

  It is imperative to observe the changes in personality, changes in sleeping and eating habits, gaining or losing weight in a short time, isolation, and change of behavior towards life. [about-addiction.com]

  Her personality changed — my sweet, kind child became angry, self-loathing, and withdrawn. My husband and I didn’t know what to do… My daughter no longer suffers from depression. She has literally transformed. [neurocorecenters.com]

  Different types of psychotherapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps a person change negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones, as well as interpersonal therapy, which is designed to help someone understand and work [livescience.com]

  Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as: Memory difficulties or personality changes Physical aches or pain Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition [mayoclinic.org]

  In addition, antidepressant medications have serious side effects that can include suicidal thoughts, weight gain and personality changes. [draxe.com]

• Sexual Dysfunction

  What about sexual dysfunction related to antidepressants? The SSRI antidepressants can cause sexual dysfunction. SSRIs reportedly decrease sex drive (libido) in both men and women. [medicinenet.com]

• Female Sexual Dysfunction

  "Female sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant administration: A randomized placebo-controlled study of pharmacologic intervention." American Journal of Psychiatry 157 (2000): 239-243. Mills, T.C., J. Paul, R. Stall, L. Pollack, et al. [medicinenet.com]

A combination of tests would help in diagnosis of depression. The following methods would be employed for diagnosing the condition:

• Physical examination: At the preliminary level, a thorough physical examination is carried out to check for presence of physical ailments if any; because many a time depression is linked to physical ailment. In addition, the psychologist would also ask various detailed questions concerning health of the individual [7] [8].
• Laboratory tests: Blood tests to detect complete blood count are required to assess the presence of underlying disease conditions such as thyroid disorders.
• Psychological examination: In this, the individual is asked in depth questions about the symptoms, thoughts and feelings. He/she are also asked to fill in a questionnaire to arrive at a definite conclusion.
• Imaging studies: CT scan and MRI scan of the brain can be considered to evaluate underlying disease conditions which are causing depression.

A combination of treatment regime has been proved to be effective for individuals with depression. The following methods are employed in treating depression:

• Medications: Antidepressants such as serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and atypical antidepressants are used for treating depressions. Amongst these classes of drugs, antidepressants containing SSRIs are considered to be safe with fewer side effects. In addition to antidepressants, individuals may also be put on antipsychotics and mood stabilizers to enhance the effect of medications.
• Psychotherapy: This method involves interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and commitment therapy that helps individuals to overcome the condition through counseling [9]. 
• Electroconvulsive therapy is a process wherein electrical currents are imparted to the brain which significantly improves the levels of neurotransmitters providing immediate relief from severe depression. It is a method of choice for those individuals for whom medication and other therapies did not work.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a process in which magnetic impulses are passed on to the brain which stimulates the nerves cells involved in mood regulation [10].

A high incidence of morbidity and mortality is associated with depression owing to increase in suicidal attempts amongst the depressed population. The prognosis of the condition is good with treatment as about 70 to 80% of individuals report significant reduction in symptoms of depression when given appropriate treatment. However, it has also been observed that about 50% of individuals do not respond to the initial phases of depression [5].

The exact cause of depression is not clearly understood. However interplay of various factors has been known to play a role. The following factors can cause depression:

• Brain chemical imbalance: Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that are known to play a vital role in causation of depression. Imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters can trigger depressive symptoms.
• Physical changes: Individuals with depression are thought to have certain physical changes in the brain which again are a significant factor that can help determine the causative factor.
• Genetic factors: Certain genes are known to play foul in causation of depression as this mood disorder is thought to run in families. Individuals with family history of depression are more prone to suffer from this disorder.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes or imbalance due to certain disease conditions can cause depression.
• Life events: Individuals who have suffered the loss of loved ones, or have undergone physical or mental trauma during childhood are likely to develop depression in the future.
• Drug abuse: Use of certain medications or recreational drugs can also trigger symptoms of depression [2].

Depression is a common mood disorder affecting more than 20 million individuals in the US. The lifetime incidence of depression amongst men and women in the US has been estimated to be 12% and 20% respectively. Depression is a more common phenomenon amongst the women population [3].

It has also been reported that the incidence of depression is higher amongst the elderly population owing to advancing age and increase in prevalence of medical illness and institutionalization in this age group.

The pathophysiology of depression is not clearly understood. Certain clinical trials have pointed towards disturbance in the various neurotransmitters to be a major factor. In addition, development of vascular lesions that damages the functioning of the neural networks involved with emotional regulation play a significant role in development of depression. When the brain activity of affected individuals were studied through neuroimaging tests, it was revealed that depressed mind is associated with decreased metabolic activity in neocortical structures with an increase in metabolic activity of limbic structures [4].

Depression can seldom be prevented. However, certain steps can help avoid its onset. These include:

• Taking help of family and friends when feeling low or sad
• Considering medical intervention when first signs of depression appear
• Working out various ways to keep stress at bay

Such a type of mood disorder if not treated on time can make life worse for the individual living with it. Depression requires long term treatment and individuals generally do better with medications and psychological counseling. Affected individuals exhibit symptoms of constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest in activities [1]. Depression is also termed as major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

Definition

Depression is a type of mood disorder characterized by constant feeling of sadness accompanied by lack of interest in life. Such a type of condition can strike individuals at any age and is more prevalent amongst the female population.

Cause

Depression is thought to occur due to interplay of various factors such as genetics, unpleasant life events, hormonal imbalance and drug abuse. Individuals with certain underlying disease condition can also fall prey to depression.

Symptoms

Individuals with depression exhibit signs of sadness, lack of interest in various activities, loss of appetite or sudden increase in food cravings, lack of sleep, poor concentration, lack of energy and fatigue.

Diagnosis

Individuals who seek medical advice are asked to fill up a questionnaire containing list of questions to better understand their condition and thought process. In addition, blood tests and imaging studies will also be required to diagnose underlying disease conditions.

Treatment

Depression is best treated through combination of medication and psychotherapy. Those who fail to respond to these modes of treatment are given electroconvulsive therapy.

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