When should I see my doctor?
If you experience any of the symptoms above, then it might be a good idea to talk to a counselor or a therapist about depression.
You might also feel hesitant about seeking help, and might not be ready to talk to a professional about it. If you feel this way, it would be good to reach out to a close friend or a loved one to talk about how you are feeling. Talking about it might help you get yourself ready to professional help.
Causes & Risk Factors
What causes depression?
Depression can be caused by a number of things, such as the following:
- Chemical imbalances in the brain can cause depression
- Hormonal imbalance, such as during pregnancy, can cause depression
- Depression can also be inherited. Researchers are trying to understand how specific groups of genes can trigger depression
- Lastly, biological differences in people’s brains can cause depression
Situational depression
Depression can be categorized under two main types, situational and clinical depression. These differ in terms of duration and cause, but both require treatment in order for the person with depression to get better.
Situational depression is a type of depression that is “milder’ and lasts shorter compared to clinical depression. It can be the result of a stressful or traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or a failed relationship.
In some cases, situational depression can go away over time. But it is still a good idea to seek help if you have trouble handling depression.
Clinical depression
On the other hand, clinical depression lasts longer and has more severe symptoms. Clinical depression is not a diagnosis, per se, but it is usually used to refer to the diagnosis of major depression.
Aside from being a longer-lasting, and severe depression, most of the time, clinical depression requires treatment and medication for the person to get better. This type of depression can even get worse over time, which is why treatment is important.
What are the risk factors for depression?
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion