Depression, also called clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the usual mood fluctuations or temporary emotional responses to everyday life challenges. When left untreated, depression can become a serious problem if the symptoms are recurrent and range from moderate to severe in intensity. There are known effective treatments for depression, including medication and psychotherapy, but these may not work for everyone. The good news is that your trusted ketamine infusion clinic Cedar Park, TX, offers IVR ketamine therapy, whose beneficial effects are almost immediate.
Symptoms of depression
During depressive episodes, you will feel sad, irritable, and empty for most of the day and nearly every day. You may lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, including hobbies and other routine activities. Depression symptoms are usually present for at least two weeks, affecting your overall function. You may also have trouble concentrating, suicidal thoughts, disrupted sleep, hopelessness about the future, and feelings of low self-worth. For most people, these symptoms are usually severe enough to cause problems at school, work, or with relationships with others. Depression may also make you feel unhappy without an apparent cause.
Depression in children and teens
Most depression signs and symptoms in children and adults are similar to those in adults. However, there can be some differences. For example:
- Depression symptoms in younger children may include clinginess, irritability, sadness, aches and pains, worry, weight loss, and refusing to go to school.
- Teenagers may experience negative feelings, low self-worth, sadness, irritability, poor performance, or attendance at school. They may also be extremely sensitive and feel misunderstood. Depression in teenagers can also result in using alcohol or recreational drugs, self-harm, avoidance of social interaction, and eating or sleeping too much.
Depression symptoms in adults
Most of the time, depression in older adults goes undiagnosed and untreated, and they may hesitate to seek help. However, depression can also affect older people and is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms of depression in older adults are less obvious and may be different. They include:
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, and loss of sexual desire – not caused by an illness or medication
- Memory problems
- Suicidal thoughts, especially in men
What causes depression?
The exact cause of depression is unclear, but as with most mental disorders, it results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. For example, brain changes appear to be present in people with depression. How these changes contribute to depression is uncertain, but it may eventually help pinpoint the cause.
Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals in your brain, likely contributing to depression. According to recent research, changes in the function, effect, and interaction of these neurotransmitters with nerve circuits play a significant role in depression and its treatment.
Depression can also run in families; this disorder is more common in people whose close relatives have the same condition. Studies to find the genes involved in causing depression are underway.
Depression can also result from hormonal imbalance during pregnancy or sometime after delivery. Other conditions that affect the balance of hormones, including thyroid problems and menopause, can cause or trigger depression.
If you have depression symptoms, visit your specialist at Nova Vita Wellness Center for treatment to enjoy a happy life.