Depression - Causes and Treatments

Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of morally weak minded individuals. However, new research clearly shows that depression has distinct biochemical roots that affect the way nerve cells work. It is an illness which can be accurately diagnosed and treated successfully in the vast majority of cases. Through the recognition of causes and knowledge of the treatments, those suffering from depression are able to preserver and overcome their illness.

Depression can be described in terms of a physical imbalance in the brain which may cause, or be caused by various psychological conditions. The physical imbalance refers to an abnormally high or low level of hormones in the brain. These hormones may include, but are not limited to, the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The unusual levels of these chemicals may be inherited, which is part of the reason why depression tends to run in families.

A psychological condition is basically the emotional state of a person which leads them into depression. A few common conditions are guilt, loneliness, anxiety, and sadness. Guilt can be experienced by all age groups, but is especially common among the elderly who have the so-called "survivors guilt" for outliving their loved ones. Loneliness is also a common emotional problem of the elderly, and adults in general. According to Dr. Robert Butler MD, author of Aging and Mental Health 1991, "children tend to fear being left alone in a threatening and uncertain world, while adults fear emotional isolation."

Depressive psychological conditions can also be a result of traumatic emotional loses and low self esteem. Profound trauma in early childhood such as physical or sexual abuse, a bitter divorce, the death of a parent, or other deeply disturbing experiences can set the emotional stage for depression later in life. Low self esteem can arise in childhood and last into adulthood. Usually caused by unpleasant experiences, such as taunting by peers, which gradually lowers the feeling of self worth.

Depression may be treated using a variety of different methods which are divided into two main divisions: antidepressant medications, and non-drug therapies. Antidepressant medications work by rebalancing the offset chemicals in the brain, thus improving emotional well being. As reported in Drug Facts and Comparisons 1999, all antidepressants are equally effective; elevating mood in 60% to 80% of people who use them as directed. (statistics) MAO inhibitors are among the oldest antidepressants currently in use. They work by interfering with the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which helps clear serotonin and dopamine from the spaces between nerve endings in the brain. SSRI's are drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. In addition to treating depression they may also help treat anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia. As stated in the Medical Tribune 1996, SSRI's work by selectively keeping nerve cells from eliminating the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Non-drug therapies offer many alternatives to antidepressant medication. Cognitive therapy - also called cognitive restructuring - teaches people to first identify and then correct depressive thinking. Many people tend to distort and over magnify small mistakes, and cognitive therapy helps them downplay these minor problems. "You can't talk yourself out of depression, but you can stop talking yourself deeper into it." Quote by Dr. Michael Castleman, author of Cognitive Therapy 1979. One of the most common non-drug therapies is exercise. Research indicates that exercise can improve mood, relieve anxiety, improve appetite, and increase self esteem. "Exercise helps normalize the chemical imbalances in the brain linked to depression", says Dr. Steven Zarit in book Mental Disorders in Adults 1998. Another popular treatment is Psychotherapy. Long-term Freudian psychoanalysis has been largely replaced by shorter-term "talk therapies." In the NIMH study, nearly half of those patients with mild to moderate depression reported significant improvement after 16 weeks.

In cases of severe depression where antidepressants prove ineffective, ETC, or Electroconvulsive therapy, is an option. ETC involves the brief application of electric stimulus used to produce a generalized seizure. Despite the controversy over this treatment, it has been shown to improve the condition of 85% of patients with severe depression. Stuart Yudofsky, M.D., says: "When used properly, ECT is safe and effective. Unfortunately, because of fear of electricity, and the inaccurate ways ECT has been portrayed in movies and on television, many people who could benefit from it don't consider it."

People are very complicated physically and emotionally. Whether the conditions which lead to depression involve deep emotional scares from the past or a form of disillusionment in the present, there are treatments that can offer relief and ultimately a cure.

Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on depression, please visit our depres sion causes and treatments webpage.

---

Do Natural Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Supplements Really Work?

Unfortunately, millions of Americans currently suffer from the debilitating effects... Read More

Know the Signs of Depression and Improve Your Life

Typical signs of depression actually show a change in the... Read More

Mental Health Stigma ? What Can We Do About It?

What is Stigma? Stigma is the use of stereotypes and... Read More

A Simple Cure For Anxiety And Depression

Our innate desire is to be happy, and when we... Read More

What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety, and...

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle,... Read More

Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students

Everyone feels down or blue once in awhile. Especially during... Read More

Tips to Beat Depression

We all have days when we are down, worn out... Read More

Manic Depressive Episodes And Scientology

Scientologists believe that chemical imbalances do not exist. In their... Read More

How to Put an End to Depression

Depression can have many, many faces. If you are not... Read More

Are you suffering from Depression?

Millions of people sufferaround the world from a depressive illness.... Read More

Depression After A Heart Attack

There are several factors can lead to depression after heart... Read More

7 Things You Can Do Immediately To Ease Depression

1. Get out now and walk fifteen minutes. It will... Read More

Sources of Online Suicide Help for People Suffering from Severe Depression

There are Many Resources for Online Suicide HelpFirst of all,... Read More

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: What are the Benefits and How Does It Relieve Depression?

Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than antidepressants and is... Read More

Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression - A Natural Treatment

A new research study has again shown that a diet... Read More

Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?

It is now no secret that people all over the... Read More

FDA Deems Vagus Nerve Therapy Approvable as a Treatment for Depression

On February 3, 2005 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration... Read More

Dont Be Surprised!

Life wasn't easy for cave men. They had to hunt... Read More

Suicide Prevention: 12 Universal Laws

The Law of PermanenceSuicide is always a permanent solution to... Read More

Depression and Procrastination: Twins in the Job Search

My definition of procrastination is that a person delays and... Read More

5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression

Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives.... Read More

How to Get Rid of Your Worries: 5 Golden Rules and a Warning

Suresh was a worried person when he came to me... Read More

Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood

Looking to improve your mood?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author... Read More

5 Ways to Transform Your Struggles Into Victories

Have you read the famous quote, "Every struggle is a... Read More

I?m Not Depressed; I?ve Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself

Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the... Read More

Depression - Causes and Treatments

Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of... Read More

A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications

While it may be easy to recite the various brand... Read More

Aspartame and Your Mental Health

In 1965, a chemist working to develop an ulcer drug... Read More

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Should be Used Early in Treatment when Traditional Antidepressants Fail

Lifetime Prevalence of Depression and the Age-of-Onset Report Distributions of... Read More

Depression Treatment: Depression Would Be Second Largest Illness by 2010!

World Health Organisation states one out of four worldwide suffer... Read More

Learn To Take Control of Depression

While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it... Read More

Anxiety and Depression - Why Depression Drugs May Not Be Necessary - Fight Depression Naturally

Millions of people, especially in the United States, are currently... Read More

New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure

On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More