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Emotional Health

Symptoms and causes

When a person is clinically depressed, his or her ability to function both mentally and physically is affected, and the trouble may last for weeks, months or even years. Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If several of these symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor.

An "empty" feeling, ongoing sadness, and/or anxiety
Tired, lack of energy
Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
Sleep problems, including waking up very early in the morning
Problems with eating and weight gain or loss
A lot of crying
Aches and pains that just won’t go away
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Feelings that the future looks grim; feeling guilty, helpless, or worthless
Constant irritability
Thoughts of death or suicide.

Symptoms vary widely among people and, sometimes, depression can hide behind a smiling face. Don’t ignore the warning signs. At its worst, serious depression can lead to suicide. Listen carefully when a friend or relative complains about being depressed or of people not caring. The person may be telling you that he or she needs help.

As far as causes, there is no single cause of depression. For some people, just one event can bring on the illness. Others seem to become depressed for no clear reason. It appears to be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, and psychological factors.

Sometimes, people develop depression as a result of taking certain medications or with certain illnesses. Some drugs used to treat arthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure, and cancer can produce depression. The effects of these drugs may not always be clear right away. Scientists also think that some illnesses themselves can bring about depression. These include Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and hormonal disorders such as thyroid disease.

Genetics, too, can play a role. Studies show that some forms of depression run in families and, therefore, children of depressed parents may be at a higher risk of getting the disease themselves.