- What Causes Depression?
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- Anyone can become depressed. Some people are prone to it and it can develop for no apparent reason. There may be no particular problem or worry but symptoms can develop quite severely and suddenly. In some people depression can alternate with periods of elation and over-activity. This form of depression, called hi-polar, may run in families. Depression may also be caused by life events such as relationship problems, bereavement, redundancy, illness,
- birth of a child etc.
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- In many people it is a mixture of the two. For example, the combination of a mild low mood with some life problem, such as work stress, may lead to a spiral down into depression. Women tend to develop depression more often than men. After childbirth (postnatal depression) and during the menopause are particularly common times for women to become depressed.
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- A chemical imbalance in the brain might be a contributing factor to why some people become depressed, but this is not fully understood. However an alternation in some chemicals in the brain is thought to be the
- reason why antidepressants are effective treatments for depression.
- Does depression go away?
- Most people with depression get better without treatment. However, this may take several months or even longer. Meanwhile, life for the person with depression and for their family and friends can be difficult. Relationships, employment, etc may be seriously affected. There is also a danger of some people turning to alcohol or illegal drugs. Some people even have suicidal thoughts. Therefore treatment is usually of great benefit.
- Some myths about depression
- I'm Depression is very common but many people fail to admit it. Some people may feel there is a stigma attached or that people will think they are weak. Great leaders such as Winston Churchill suffered from bouts of depression. Depression is one of the most common illnesses that GPS deal with. People with depression may be told by others to 'pull their socks up' or 'snap out of it'. The truth is, they cannot. Such comments by others are very unhelpful.
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