Causes Of Depression
Causes of Depression
Substantial evidence from neuroscience, genetics, and clinical investigation shows that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. However, the precise causes of these illnesses continue to be a matter of intense research.
Modern brain imaging technologies reveal that, in depression, neural circuits responsible for the regulation of moods, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior fail to function properly, and critical neurotransmitterschemicals that brain cells use to communicate are out of balance. Studies of brain chemistry, including the effects of antidepressant medications, continue to inform our understanding of the biochemical processes involved in depression.
In some families, depressive disorders seem to occur generation after generation; however, they can also occur in people with no family history of these illnesses. Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other nongenetic factors.
Very often, a combination of genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, a financial problem, or any stressful change in life patterns, whether the change is unwelcome or desired, can trigger a depressive episode in vulnerable individuals. Later episodes of depression may occur without an obvious cause.
Other medications than lithium have been found to be of benefit in controlling mood swings, like the two mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants, carbamazepine (Tegretol) and valproate (Depakote), both of which have gained wide acceptance in clinical practice, and valproate has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for first-line treatment of acute mania.
Antidepressants may cause mild and, usually, temporary side effects (sometimes referred to as adverse effects) in some people.
NIMH: Depression
Reducing the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior
MedlinePlus: Depression
Depression ... Also called: Clinical depression, Dysthymic disorder, Major depressive disorder, Unipolar depression
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Depression
Alternative names Return to top. Blues; Discouragement; Gloom; Mood changes; Sadness; Melancholy. Definition Return to top. Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable ...
NIMH: Depression
National Institute of Mental Health presents a comprehensive series of articles on symptoms and management. Includes booklets of personal accounts and descriptions of related disorders.
WebMD Depression Health Center - Find depression information and ...
An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression. Here you'll find in-depth ... Depression Overview. From symptoms to treatment options, find in-depth news and information to ...
Other Depression Article Snippets:
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects
"Despite the enormous advances in brain research in the past 20 years, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated."
Childhood Depression
"The confusion and disorientation experienced upon awakening after ECT typically clear within an hour."
Types Of Depression
"Depression can strike anyone regardless of age, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or gender; however, large scale research studies have found that depression is about twice as common in women as in men."
Psychotherapies
"Medications alone appear to be helpful in approximately 50% of the cases."