View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: Suicide Recommendations Lead To Drop In Suicides Across England And Wales]]> According to new research published by The Lancet, there has been a substantial decrease in suicide rates among health authorities across England and Wales that adopted a new range of suicide recommendations…

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View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: The Effects On The Brain Of Magic Mushrooms]]> Brain scans of people under the influence of the psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, have given scientists the most detailed picture to date of how psychedelic drugs work…

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View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: Taking Anti-Depressants During Pregnancy Increases Pulmonary Hypertension Risk In Newborns]]> An investigation published on bmj.com reveals that children are more likely to be born with persistent pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) if the mother took anti-depressants during pregnancy. Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a rare, but severe disease associated to heart failure…

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Part 2:Overcoming depression can be a daunting task and it may take considerable time to feel back to one’s old self. However, the prognosis of recovery for depression is quite good and there are many effective and proven methods to treat depression. Personally as I have experienced a lengthy period of Major Depressive Disorder (clinical diagnosis), I understand the depths of despair and so-forth that so commonly accompanies many feelings of people who are experiencing depression, however we all experience things differently, and we need to be careful in not minimising or not validating others’ unique and individual experience in any mental health problem including depression.

Depression goes far beyond, and is far more intense than ‘having the blues’. It is more than just feeling sad. Everybody will experience sadness and have ‘down’ days/periods or ‘the blues’. Endless reasons can contribute to this and generally a person without depression has a probability of ‘bouncing back’ and resuming normal activities and be more able to handle life’s adversaries. A person experiencing depression has in a way, lost belief and hope that life can actually get better including a reduced ability to cope in general. Anxiety can commonly accompany depression or depressive symptoms. A person can also feel very tense or edgy and many symptoms may fluctuate in a . . . → Read More: Depression Is Far More Than Having The Blues.]]> Article by Paul S. Inglis.

Part 2:Overcoming depression can be a daunting task and it may take considerable time to feel back to one’s old self. However, the prognosis of recovery for depression is quite good and there are many effective and proven methods to treat depression. Personally as I have experienced a lengthy period of Major Depressive Disorder (clinical diagnosis), I understand the depths of despair and so-forth that so commonly accompanies many feelings of people who are experiencing depression, however we all experience things differently, and we need to be careful in not minimising or not validating others’ unique and individual experience in any mental health problem including depression.

Depression goes far beyond, and is far more intense than ‘having the blues’. It is more than just feeling sad. Everybody will experience sadness and have ‘down’ days/periods or ‘the blues’. Endless reasons can contribute to this and generally a person without depression has a probability of ‘bouncing back’ and resuming normal activities and be more able to handle life’s adversaries. A person experiencing depression has in a way, lost belief and hope that life can actually get better including a reduced ability to cope in general. Anxiety can commonly accompany depression or depressive symptoms. A person can also feel very tense or edgy and many symptoms may fluctuate in a course of depression. Many other thoughts and feelings are common with depression including hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt or shame, irritability/agitation, slowed thinking and/or difficulties in concentrating and a general loss of self-esteemhowever none of these symptoms alone may constitute depression and we need to be very careful about self-diagnosis and referring to depression loosely. Depression could be seen or experienced as a sense of unhappiness which could be described as feelings of mild anhedonia (which is a lowered or decreased ability to have a sense of enjoyment from activities that were once pleasurable), or feelings of apathy or fatigue through to a profound or intense sense of complete worthlessness. Generally speaking, there is particular clinical criteria (pertaining to symptoms) which is recognised by a treating physician, that last or present itself every day for at least 2 weeks. Other symptoms can include:

* social withdrawal* decreased physical activity* sleep or appetite disturbances* loss of sexual drive/interest* loss of interest in work, hobbies, activities* serious considerations of death and suicide.* sleeping problems such as insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)* changes in eating patterns or weight changes* dysphoria (depressed mood)* difficulties in performing simple tasks (can be as ‘simple’ as making a coffee)* difficulties in decision-making* conversational problems* memory problems.

If you can identify with some of these symptoms or are worried about somebody you know or care for/love who may be experiencing some of these characteristics, it may be very worthwhile seeking help from a doctor. S/he will be able to use his/her knowledge and experience in assessment in areas such as a mental state examination. This can include doctors taking note (of the patient) of :

1. lack of attention to personal grooming and hygiene2. affect of the person (mood). The person may be irritable or anxious, may be easily moved to tears or appear “beyond tears” and have a blunted affect3. feelings of hopelessness/helplessness4. negative views of themselves, the world and future5. general psycho-motor retardation.

Also, the doctor will take note if there are concerns of delusional thinking (and this does not necessarily mean something like schizophrenia). Even if these symptoms are present, you or another person (any patient) is in good hands with a doctor as an anchor point in the handling or management of cases such as various forms of depression. Hallucinations are less common, but can certainly occur in severe depression. With severe depression it can be very difficult to even talk much. This is difficult in itself because professional people do want to help us yet it is literally so draining and exhausting to talk sometimes. Just the thought of talking can be so daunting, but also sometimes once we start to do something like talking to someone, we may surprise ourselves of our reservior of inner-strength or ‘appliances’ that we mat actually posses even in such awfully draining and literally horrid times.

There are indeed many different types of depression including severe forms which can be more readily recognised, through to milder forms which may be often difficult to distinguish from other issues such as grief and loss. For example, bereavement, divorce, loss of a job and/or income and so on can manifest itself in more of a ‘depressive reaction’ that only lasts short-term, compared to a clinical diagnosis of say Mild Depressiive Disorder.

For those experiencing Major Depressive Disorder (and indeed other types of depression) life in general can seem hopeless. Experiencing major depression myself, I felt completely and utterly empty and had a deep sense of emptiness far beyond sadness and I very much questioned the value of my life. Nevertheless, there IS an enormous array of methods of help available to those suffering depression. Depression manifests itself in many ways, as indeed there are many different types of depression. Apathy can be a constant feeling that may endure for quite some time and for the sufferer it can be an enormous task just to read information about depression let alone actively seeking help by themselves. Yet, by firstly recognising your depression and NOT denying it, talking to a doctor or other professional such as a counsellor can be one of many opportunities to become more pro-active in your recovery. It IS very difficult, yet there also is so much help for depression.

The last part of this article amd more is coming.

Click here to have a look at a great product about overcoming depression.http://paydotcom.net/r/11925/samast/25338235/

All the best,Paul.

Despair is a critical sickness. Well being pros use the words depression, depressive sickness or clinical depression to refer to it. It is quite distinct from the common occurence of experiencing unhappy, depressing or annoyed for a brief interval of time. Once you are frustrated, you may have emotions of intense sadness which can last for a prolonged time. These emotions are extreme sufficient to interfere with the every day life, and can last for weeks or months, instead of days. Despair is relatively common and concerning one in ten folks should occurence depression at some point. Nonetheless, the correct number of folks with depression is very difficult to estimation simply because many folks do not get improve or are not formally identified with the condition. Ladies are far more probably to have depression than men, and 1 in 4 females should call for therapy for depression at some point, in contrast to 1 in 10 men. Men are far far more probably than females to commit suicide, which may be simply because men are much less probably to look for improve for depression. Alternatively, it may be owing to other components which includes substance misuse, unemployment and sociable isolation. Despair can have an impact on folks of any age, which includes young children. Studies have . . . → Read More: Causes of depression]]> Article by Muhammad Danish Sultan

Despair is a critical sickness. Well being pros use the words depression, depressive sickness or clinical depression to refer to it. It is quite distinct from the common occurence of experiencing unhappy, depressing or annoyed for a brief interval of time. Once you are frustrated, you may have emotions of intense sadness which can last for a prolonged time. These emotions are extreme sufficient to interfere with the every day life, and can last for weeks or months, instead of days. Despair is relatively common and concerning one in ten folks should occurence depression at some point. Nonetheless, the correct number of folks with depression is very difficult to estimation simply because many folks do not get improve or are not formally identified with the condition. Ladies are far more probably to have depression than men, and 1 in 4 females should call for therapy for depression at some point, in contrast to 1 in 10 men. Men are far far more probably than females to commit suicide, which may be simply because men are much less probably to look for improve for depression. Alternatively, it may be owing to other components which includes substance misuse, unemployment and sociable isolation. Despair can have an impact on folks of any age, which includes young children. Studies have shown which concerning 4% of young children aged 5-16 in the UK are affected by depression.Folks with a family historical past of depression are far more probably to occurence depression themselves. Despair impacts folks in many means and can bring about a broad wide variety of physical, mental (psychological) and sociable signs. A few folks even now believe which depression is not a real sickness and which it is a form of weakness or admission of failure. This is basically not true. Despair is a real sickness with real effects, and it is absolutely not a indicator of failure. fashion=”text-decoration: underline;”>Symptoms of depression: The symptoms of depression can be complicated. If you are frustrated, you typically shed interest in details you employed to enjoy. Despair commonly interferes with the work, sociable life and family life. There are many other signs, which can be mental, physical and sociable. Psychological signs include:

 continuous low disposition or sadness emotions of hopelessness and helplessness low self-esteem tearfulness emotions of guilt experiencing irritable and intolerant of other folks shortage of encouragement and puny interest in details problem creating decisions shortage of joy suicidal ideas or ideas of harming your self experiencing anxious or concerned lessened sex disk Physical signs include: slowed motion or speech tweak in urge for food or weight (generally decreased, but often elevated) irregularity inexplicable aches and pains shortage of power or shortage of interest in sex changes to the menstrual routine disturbed rest habits (for example, troubles heading to rest or waking at the beginning of a lot of the morning) Sociable signs include: not executing well at workgetting component in less sociable endeavours and avoiding get in touch with with friends lessened leisure pursuits and interestscomplications in home and family life.

 It can take some time to recognise which you may be frustrated. Despair may appear on regularly and some folks proceed to deal with the signs where there is no recognising them. It can take a good friend or family fellow member to point to which something is wrong. Physicians illustrate depression by how critical it is Mild depression has some impact on the every day life. Moderate depression has a substantial impact on the every day life. Serious depression makes the endeavours of every day life virtually impossible. A small proportion of folks with extreme depression may have psychotic signs.  leads to of depression: There are a number of  causes of depression, and folks generate depression for distinct reasons.Despair has many distinct triggers. For some folks, upsetting or tense life activities, like bereavement, divorce proceedings, sickness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the bring about. Usually, distinct leads to mix to trigger depression. For example, you may sense low once an sickness and after that occurence a tense life event, like bereavement, which prospects to depression. Folks typically talk about a ‘downward spiral’ of activities which prospects to depression. For example, if a particular person’s romantic relationship with their companion breaks down, they are probably to sense low, they may quit enjoying friends and family, and they may start off consuming far more. All of this can generate them sense also a whole lot worse and trigger depression. Some studies have suggested folks are far more probably to get depression as they get older and which it is far more common among folks who face difficult sociable and economic circumstances. Despair is complicated and a number of details can rise the risk of developing it. Demanding life activities Most folks take time to appear to terms with tense activities, like bereavement or a romantic relationship breakdown. Once these tense activities happen, you have a larger risk of starting to be frustrated if you quit enjoying friends and family and try to deal with troubles on the own. Illness You may have a larger risk of depression if you are identified with a persistent or life-threatening sickness, like coronary heart disease or cancer. Head accidents are also an typically under-recognised bring about of depression. A extreme mind damage can trigger disposition swings and emotional troubles.Even a small mind damage can injury the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain which creates thyroid-stimulating human hormones (chemicals). This can bring about a number of signs, like tiredness (intense tiredness) and a decreased interest in sex, which can cause depression. Personality characteristics You may be unprotected to depression owing to sure personality characteristics, like low self-esteem or being overly self-critical. This may be owing to genes you have inherited from the parents, or the personality or earlier life experiences. These can all have a profound bring about as a way you ponder your self in later life. Sociable isolation Becoming cut off from family and friends may rise the risk of depression, or it may be a feedback to experiencing frustrated as the downward spiral normally requires hold. Booze and medicines Drink maltreatment can be a bring about of depression. Use of medicines, like cannabis and cocaine, can also cause emotions of depression. Some folks try to deal by consuming too considerably alcohol or getting medicines. This can result in a spiral of depression. The isolation, alcohol or medicines generate you sense a whole lot worse concerning your self, and in feedback you isolate your self and drink or take medicines also far more.  

View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: Researchers Reveal That New Forms Of Torture Leave ‘Invisible Scars’]]> Use of torture around the world has not diminished but the techniques used have grown more complex and sophisticated, according to new research from Queen Mary, University of London. The study suggests that these emerging forms of torture, which include various types of rape, bestiality and witnessing violent acts, are experienced by people seeking asylum in the UK…

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Alcohol depression can be quite grave and must not be one’s state involving living, however just ways to overcome this sort of depression could end up being quite challenging since two factors will be addressed here: a substance abuse and an over emotional disturbance.

Dealing with depression means at this time you may certainly not be feeling too good. What having low energy, poor sleep as well as a general feeling involving helplessness, naturally choosing a solution out to be depressed is any much expected move. Sadly, most people use either legal (elizabeth. g. Zoloft) as well as illegal (elizabeth. g. marijuana) drugs or the application of drinking alcoholic beverages inside of a quest to relieve the pain, nevertheless, research has demonstrated that both outlawed drugs and booze are marked depressants. (in spite of the buzz they could temporarily give) and these are depression drugs through recent studies, these substances just will not be worth the side-effects.

Now about alcohol use as well as depressive illnesses; right here is the worst possible strategy for dealing with depression. Depressed moods might be a direct outcome of substance abuse. Conversely, use of alcohol by those that have a depressive disorder may improve the severity of the depression symptoms and so should be definitely avoided.

Alcohol depression is pretty rampant these days as . . . → Read More: Drinking Despression symptoms: That bottle of wine might be boosting your Depression.]]> Article by michele hilly

Alcohol depression can be quite grave and must not be one’s state involving living, however just ways to overcome this sort of depression could end up being quite challenging since two factors will be addressed here: a substance abuse and an over emotional disturbance.

Dealing with depression means at this time you may certainly not be feeling too good. What having low energy, poor sleep as well as a general feeling involving helplessness, naturally choosing a solution out to be depressed is any much expected move. Sadly, most people use either legal (elizabeth. g. Zoloft) as well as illegal (elizabeth. g. marijuana) drugs or the application of drinking alcoholic beverages inside of a quest to relieve the pain, nevertheless, research has demonstrated that both outlawed drugs and booze are marked depressants. (in spite of the buzz they could temporarily give) and these are depression drugs through recent studies, these substances just will not be worth the side-effects.

Now about alcohol use as well as depressive illnesses; right here is the worst possible strategy for dealing with depression. Depressed moods might be a direct outcome of substance abuse. Conversely, use of alcohol by those that have a depressive disorder may improve the severity of the depression symptoms and so should be definitely avoided.

Alcohol depression is pretty rampant these days as about 40 per cent of folks who drink alcohol heavily have indications that resemble despression symptoms. However, when these same everyone is not drinking intensely, only 5 per cent of men and 10 % of woman currently have symptoms meeting the requirement to be diagnosed to get depression.

Even while when used moderately, alcohol may briefly make a pleasant and relaxed state on the mind, depression resulting from alcohol is common. This starts off like everything else, slowly but picking up intensity with occasion. When alcohol is employed sparingly, it may for a while lift the moods; even so, when used to treat a depressive health issues, tolerance to the issues of it may lead someone of depression to help drink more alcohol in search for a positive effect. This is certainly where the difficulties begin, one drinks increasingly more and in no time, alcohol- being a noted depressant-starts for you to cause depressive tendencies inside the mind.

Alcohol Depressive disorders: Effects and Implications

Now we all of know alcohol confuses judgment and makes another impulsive to consider risks, moreover it causes a decrease of inhibition and heightens aggressive behavior plus violent acts also towards one very own self. Consequently, when used as a means to curb despression symptoms, this should certainly be a particular concern as studies have established depression can bring about suicide. Generally, a much higher incidence of suicide, both completed and also attempted, is related to alcohol depression.

Additionally, alcohol depression triggers complicated social disorders just like absenteeism, sickness and under-performance. Inevitably, marital problems often arise on account of an alcohol challenge, add this to your depression problems available, it is not surprising that many relationships have suffered for this reason particular depressive health issues.

In regards so that you can health, alcohol depression can cause loads of physical problems. These may arise inside liver as hepatitis, cirrhosis or even liver failure. Tummy Ulcers, sexual dysfunction as well as irregular heartbeat tend to be other factors also. Now these are only symptoms that result from excessive alcohol utilize, add to this the negative impacts of depression to the body.needless to point out, this particular way of depressive illness is usually a very serious and also grave one. Here i will discuss the symptoms of the particular kind connected with emotional disorder.

Alcohol Depression: Symptoms implying its presence

There are a number of pointers that will lead one to think about if one comes with an alcohol depression issue. In no unique order, they contain:

1. Using alcohol to escape from one’s issues and trouble.only two. Drinking too a great deal alcohol everyday.3. Utilizing alcohol to cause sleep.4. Having this excessive booze alone.5. Emotion an immense shame about one’s extreme drinking

Thankfully, similar to all things there may be hope, however one really needs the desire to switch.Enumerated are some good data for this emotional disorder resulting from excessive drinking.

Drinking Depression: Helpful remedies.

Depressive symptoms resulting from alcohol might indeed be quite difficult to curb, Nonetheless, as with anything at all, the more one works at this, the better the probability of success.It always aids you to know the reason for one’s reckless need to drink initially. These may become marital, financial and even spiritual problems. Therefore these issues ought to be addressed by proficient counseling, reading self-help books as well as a good old speak with one’s creator.

What’s more, a simple quickly or restricted diet on the seasonal juicy fruit can help to detoxify our bodies of alcoholic habits. Now this may possibly sound very unconventionally, but according to be able to Professor Arnold Ehret, this method continues to be used successfully in order to aiding many an alcoholic to give up excessive drinking. Medical professional. Stanley Burroughs also attested to that in his writings known as the Master Cleansing. Of course 60% of the battle will be the patient’s desire for change to start with.

In addition, physical activity, besides occupying one’s moment, also goes a considerable ways to first assisting in detoxifying the entire body and helping using alcohol depression as this method exercises the motor centers on the brain, making the circulation of blood away from the emotional activity facility; consequently one gets more receptive for you to positive thoughts. Yoga is strongly recommended as a preference for exercise here as several positive aspects lay in its use as an alternative depression treatment. Through the intense relaxation as well as stress relief that comes from its use, to the increase of alpha dog and theta waves while in the right portion from the brain (any noted characteristic associated with optimistic people), yoga as an approach of coping having alcohol depression, though admittedly can be unconventional, is really a wise decision.

One major part of overcoming alcohol depression could be the desire for modify. Consequently if a relative or loved one expresses the importance for help, it’s advised to quickly lend an encouraging hand and walk them throughout the steps to payoff. If however one is alone in these kind of struggles, well, the internet within constantly making the modern world a smaller area or help that are a phone get in touch with away.as long united makes the transfer, the spiritual forces that happen to be ever inherent in our own minds will probably guide one to your path for success. The tips provided so far can definitely help too.

Alcohol depression does not need to be one’s condition of living, with all the drug-free methods of any positive thinking, and also diet and right exercise, its signs, causes and effects can be overcome.

View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: Link Between Opioid Abuse And Mood And Anxiety Disorders]]> Individuals suffering from mood and anxiety disorders such as bipolar, panic disorder and major depressive disorder may be more likely to abuse opioids, according to a new study led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. They found that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use…

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View full post on Depression News From Medical . . . → Read More: ‘Sleep Hormone’ Discovery Leads To Novel Melatonin Drug With Potential To Treat Insomnia]]> A team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University has made a major breakthrough by unraveling the inner workings of melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone.” The research, conducted in collaboration with scientists in Italy, reveals the key role played by the melatonin receptor in the brain that promotes deep, restorative sleep…

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Every year, almost 800,000 Australian adults experience depression. The causes of depression are as varied as the people who suffer from this debilitating illness: relationship conflicts, loss of a loved one, economic woes, health issues, eating disorders, social isolation, disappointment, fear, insecurity, abandonment, rejection, failure, emotional and physical abuse, substance abuse, workplace stress, and many more.Depression is a medical condition generally characterized by a low mood with feelings of joylessness, deep sadness, misery, powerlessness, pessimism, anger, and/or discouragement (hopelessness). All of us occasionally experience a blue mood, but it is usually a temporary emotional state. A low emotional state can sometimes be helpful when it keeps us from doing something foolish, reckless, or dangerous. What differentiates depression from ordinary blues is that it lingers and keeps a person in a chronic or recurrent state of negative thinking. This disables an individual from living a full, satisfying life. Since a depressed person is often distracted or has difficulty concentrating, his/her condition can lead to poor job performance and possible job loss. In Australia, workplace depression accounts for six million days of absenteeism and more than 12 million days of reduced productivity each year. Annually, undiagnosed (and therefore untreated) employee depression costs $ 4.3 billion in lost productivity. A distracted frame of mind also poses a risk to . . . → Read More: How to Recognise and Treat Depression]]> Article by Australia Counselling

Every year, almost 800,000 Australian adults experience depression. The causes of depression are as varied as the people who suffer from this debilitating illness: relationship conflicts, loss of a loved one, economic woes, health issues, eating disorders, social isolation, disappointment, fear, insecurity, abandonment, rejection, failure, emotional and physical abuse, substance abuse, workplace stress, and many more.Depression is a medical condition generally characterized by a low mood with feelings of joylessness, deep sadness, misery, powerlessness, pessimism, anger, and/or discouragement (hopelessness). All of us occasionally experience a blue mood, but it is usually a temporary emotional state. A low emotional state can sometimes be helpful when it keeps us from doing something foolish, reckless, or dangerous. What differentiates depression from ordinary blues is that it lingers and keeps a person in a chronic or recurrent state of negative thinking. This disables an individual from living a full, satisfying life. Since a depressed person is often distracted or has difficulty concentrating, his/her condition can lead to poor job performance and possible job loss. In Australia, workplace depression accounts for six million days of absenteeism and more than 12 million days of reduced productivity each year. Annually, undiagnosed (and therefore untreated) employee depression costs $ 4.3 billion in lost productivity. A distracted frame of mind also poses a risk to personal health and safety due to carelessness or neglect. Depression is the leading cause of disability in Australia.In the case of a child or teenager, it can result in lower grades and antisocial behavior. Poor academic and vocational performance and the lack of social skills can lead to low self-esteem and, in later life, decreased employment opportunities. Depression can cause a person of any age to avoid social contact, aggravating his/her sense of loneliness and hopelessness. Many researchers believe that depression occurs when chemical changes or imbalances in the brain affect the neurotransmitters, which send signals or messages that affect how we feel. Common medical tests performed to identify possible biological or chemical factors for depression include urine tests for sugar and protein, complete blood count and biochemistry, thyroid function tests, and, occasionally, a brain scan.Many factors play a role in depression: Medications and Other Substances Certain prescription drugs (such as sedatives, steroids, and high blood pressure medications) and hormonal treatments can cause symptoms of depression. Depressed people are also more likely to engage in alcohol or substance abuse, which only worsens their condition.Genetics Some types of depression seem to run in families. However, depression can also affect people with no family history of it when stressful life changes occur.Changes and Stressful Events A negative change in circumstances such as divorce, death, a breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend, or unemployment may lead to depression if a person feels unprepared or inadequate to cope with it. However, a positive change such as marriage, engagement, high school/college graduation, or employment in a new job can also cause depression when a person feels overly anxious about meeting the demands and responsibilities that come with it.Trauma or Grief Traumatic events such as tragic accidents, physical violence, emotional abuse, or, conversely, emotional neglect can cause depression regardless of whether they occurred recently or earlier in a person’s life. He/she might be constantly reliving the horror of the experience through flashbacks and nightmares. The grief that accompanies the passing of a friend or family member can also lead to depression if a person has trouble finding closure or accepting the finality of death.Age Although depression is not a normal part of aging, elderly people are at also risk for depression since they are prone to chemical imbalances in the brain, illness, chronic pain, and social isolation (particularly if an elderly person lives alone or lacks social support). In addition, they are more likely to be taking medications that may cause symptoms of depression. They are also more resistant to change and thus have greater difficulty accepting and adapting or adjusting to new situations. Since the elderly are less likely to acknowledge feelings of sadness or grief, their symptoms may be less obvious and are often overlooked.However, depression has also been diagnosed in children and adolescents, especially due to stresses from school (tests and assignments), peers (social expectations) family (demands, conflicts, lack of communication), environment (living conditions), or personal health (malnutrition, physical defects, disability, serious illness, eating disorders). Adolescence is a period of drastic hormonal change and heightened emotional vulnerability. It is not surprising that depression often has its onset in the teenage years. Health Conditions Thyroid problems (particularly hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid condition), brain injury, chronic pain, cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, anemia, post-traumatic stress disorder and other serious illnesses may increase a person’s risk of becoming depressed.Gender Starting from puberty, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Frequent major hormonal changes in a woman’s body during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause may increase incidents of depression. Social and cultural stressors such as working outside the home, raising children, caring for aging parents, spousal abuse, poverty, and relationship strains also contribute greatly to depression in women.Men experience depression differently from women. Among males, it is more often expressed in anger, irritability, agitation or restlessness, and sleep problems (either lack of sleep or excessive sleeping).Women are more likely to suffer from feelings of sadness, worthlessness or excessive guilt. Both genders may develop addictions such as cigarette smoking, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse. They may also experience dramatic changes in appetite leading to weight loss or weight gain. Depressed individuals often feel fatigued or lethargic (lacking in energy) as well.Depressed men and women may also become physically inactive, withdraw from previous activities (e.g. bathing regularly, going to church and other social gatherings) and/or exhibit a lack of interest in pursuits that were once enjoyed (e.g. sex, sports, and hobbies). .At its worst, a depressed condition can prompt a person to take his/her own life and/or commit acts of violence that threaten other people’s lives. Depression is reported to be the leading cause of suicide in Australia, yet it is often unrecognized or untreated.This is why it is so important to have the condition professionally diagnosed and treated if you suspect that you or someone you know may be depressed.