What do you mean by depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
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What is a simple definition of depression?

Overview. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
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What is depression in human?

Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life. Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can lead to depression.
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What are 5 cause of depression?

Life events: Stress, the death of a loved one, upsetting events (trauma), isolation and lack of support can cause depression. Medical conditions: Ongoing physical pain and illnesses can cause depression. People often have depression along with conditions like diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's disease.
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Can you explain the depression?

The most common symptom of depression is a feeling of sadness or emptiness that lasts for more than two weeks. A person may describe this symptom as a feeling of “hopelessness.” They may feel as if life will not get better and that this intense level of sadness will last forever.
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What is Depression?



What causes the depression?

There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.
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What are the 4 main causes of depression?

The four major causes of depression are:
  • Family history. Though there are no specific genes that we can look at and trace to depression, if your family members have had depression, you are more likely also to experience depression. ...
  • Illness and health issues. ...
  • Medication, drugs, and alcohol. ...
  • Personality.
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Who is most at risk for depression?

Major depression is most likely to affect people between the ages of 45 and 65. “People in middle age are at the top of the bell curve for depression, but the people at each end of the curve, the very young and very old, may be at higher risk for severe depression,” says Walch.
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What does depression do to your brain?

As depression starts to affect the brain's chemical balances, neurons in the hippocampus shrink, which can cause difficulty concentrating and memory loss. A shrunken hippocampus can also make completing familiar tasks difficult, which can lead to hopelessness, guilt, and anxiety.
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What are the 6 types of depression?

6 Different Types of Depression: Major, Minor, Manic & More
  • Major Depressive Disorder. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder in which a person experiences most of the following symptoms for more than two weeks: ...
  • Dysthymia. ...
  • Bipolar Disorder. ...
  • Psychotic Depression. ...
  • Postpartum Depression. ...
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder.
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Who gets depression and how common?

It is very common. On average more than 1 in 5 people will have depression sometime in their life. Most people are over 20 years old when they have depression for the first time. Children and teenagers can also get depression.
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What is the meaning of depression and anxiety?

Depression and anxiety might seem pretty distinct, for the most part. The main symptom of depression is typically a lingering low, sad, or hopeless mood, while anxiety mainly involves overwhelming feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear. But these conditions do actually share several key signs.
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What are examples of depression?

What Is Depression?
  • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
  • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
  • Loss of energy or increased fatigue.
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What happens during a depression?

Depression is a serious mental illness that can interfere with a person's life. It can cause long-lasting and severe feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities. It can also cause physical symptoms of pain, appetite changes, and sleep problems.
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What are the symptoms of depression in teenage girl?

Symptoms
  • Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason.
  • Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters.
  • Feeling hopeless or empty.
  • Irritable or annoyed mood.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.
  • Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends.
  • Low self-esteem.
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What are the risks of depression?

Risk Factors
  • Genetics: A history of depression in your family may make it more likely for you to get it. ...
  • Death or loss: Sadness and grief are normal reactions. ...
  • Conflict: Personal turmoil or disputes with family or friends may lead to depression.
  • Abuse: Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can bring it on, as well.
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Does depression cause memory loss?

Depression has been linked to memory problems, such as forgetfulness or confusion. It can also make it difficult to focus on work or other tasks, make decisions, or think clearly. Stress and anxiety can also lead to poor memory. Depression is associated with short-term memory loss.
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Does depression affect your thinking?

It can impair your attention and memory, as well as your information processing and decision-making skills. It can also lower your cognitive flexibility (the ability to adapt your goals and strategies to changing situations) and executive functioning (the ability to take all the steps to get something done).
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What can happen if you don't treat depression?

Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.
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How can you reduce your risk of depression?

Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Reach out to family and friends when times get hard. Get regular medical checkups, and see your provider if you don't feel right. Get help if you think you're depressed.
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Is depression cured completely?

There's no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives.
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Is depression a real problem?

Depression is a real illness that researchers believe is caused mainly by imbalances in certain chemicals within your brain called neurotransmitters. Some experts are even starting to frame depression as a systemic disease.
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Is depression a brain disorder?

Depression is much more than just a brain disorder. It causes physical symptoms and can cause lasting damage to the body because of both direct effects and indirect complications of living with this mental illness. For instance, depression can change your appetite.
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What are the 3 levels of depression?

Depression can be described as mild, moderate or severe; melancholic or psychotic (see below).
  • Melancholia. This is the term used to describe a severe form of depression where many of the physical symptoms of depression are present. ...
  • Psychotic depression. ...
  • Antenatal and postnatal depression.
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What are the 5 levels of depression?

Types of Depression
  • Major Depression.
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder.
  • Bipolar Disorder.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Psychotic Depression.
  • Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression.
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  • 'Situational' Depression.
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