Depression who is at risk

The good news is that depression is highly treatable, and there are many sources of help and support in dealing with the condition. Read more: How can I get help for depression? Depression isn't a simple condition with a known cause. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. For those affected, having depression means more than just feeling blue — it can cause a range of symptoms, including sexual health problems.

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme fluctuations in thinking, mood, and behavior, known as depression and mania or…. Experts say mushrooms contain a number of nutrients, including potassium and B vitamins, that can boost physical as well as mental health. Persistent depressive disorder, formerly known as dysthymia, is a form of chronic depression. Learn about depression facts and figures, find out who is at risk, and see beyond the numbers.

Do you wonder if that blue feeling you have is depression? While everyone experiences sadness at a loss or disappointment at certain points in life, a surprising number of people are affected by major depressive disorder , an unrelenting form of sadness and despair.

The statistics are staggering. According to the U. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states that depression affects more than 23 million Americans every year and that it is the most common serious brain disease in the United States. Numbers from the World Health Organization estimate that about million people have depression globally. Knowing why depression sets in and who's likely to be affected by it can help you better understand it and recognize it, should a major depressive disorder take root.

Major depression is more than just feeling low. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:.

Examples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification of DSM-5 include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder diagnosed in children and adolescents and premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD. If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many.

The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood.

Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression.

A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy.

Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications , psychotherapy , or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy ECT and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore.

Quick Tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-fits-all" for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you. Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects.

A medication that has helped you or a close family member in the past will often be considered. Antidepressants take time — usually 2 to 4 weeks — to work, and often, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration problems improve before mood lifts, so it is important to give medication a chance before reaching a conclusion about its effectiveness.

If you begin taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them without the help of a doctor. Sometimes people taking antidepressants feel better and then stop taking the medication on their own, and the depression returns. A variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are known to cause symptoms of depression. Some studies have found that diets either low in omega-3 fatty acids or with an imbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 are associated with increased rates of depression.

In addition, diets high in sugar have been associated with depression. Stressful life events, which overwhelm a person's ability to cope, can also be a cause of depression. Researchers suspect high levels of the hormone cortisol, which are secreted during periods of stress, may affect the neurotransmitter serotonin and contribute to depression.

Following the loss of a loved one, grieving individuals experience many of the same symptoms of depression. Trouble sleeping, poor appetite, and a loss of pleasure or interest in activities are a normal response to loss. The symptoms of grief are expected to subside over time.

But when symptoms get worse, grief may turn into depression. Drugs and alcohol can contribute to depressive disorders. Some drugs that have been found to be associated with depression include anticonvulsants, statins, stimulants, benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, and beta-blockers. It's important to review any medications that you've been prescribed and to speak with your physician if you are feeling depressed.

No matter the cause, there are effective treatments available. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression in order to come up with a treatment plan that works for you. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter.

National Institute of Mental Health. A year study of 3 generations at high risk and low risk for depression. JAMA Psychiatry. Depression and substance use comorbidity: What we have learned from animal studies. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. Lohoff FW. Overview of the genetics of major depressive disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep.

The effects of psychological stress on depression. Curr Neuropharmacol. Food for mood: Relevance of nutritional omega-3 fatty acids for depression and anxiety. Front Physiol. Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study.