Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that results in a consistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can cause a number of emotional and physical problems. You may find it difficult to carry out your regular daily activities, and you might even feel as though life isn’t worth living.
Don’t be discouraged, though; most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling, or both. Depression is more than just a case of the blues; it’s not a sign of weakness, and you can’t just “snap out” of it.
As with many mental disorders, the precise cause of depression is unknown; however, a number of factors may be at play, including:
**Biological differences.** There are physical changes in depressed people’s brains; the significance of these changes is unknown, but may one day be used to identify the underlying causes of depression.
Brain chemistry.Recent research suggests that changes in the function and impact of these neurotransmitters, as well as their interactions with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability, may play a significant role in depression and its treatment. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression.
Hormones.Hormone changes can occur during pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid issues, menopause, and a number of other conditions. Changes in the body’s hormone balance can also result from these conditions, as well as from pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid issues, and a number of other conditions.
Inherited traits.Researchers are looking for genes that may play a role in the development of depression because the condition is more prevalent in people whose blood relatives also suffer from it.
Although a person may experience depression only once in their lifetime, most people experience multiple episodes, with symptoms that can include the following and last for the majority of the day:
Moods of melancholy, tearing, emptiness, or despair
irrational behavior, irritation, or frustration, even over trivial issues
loss of enjoyment or interest in the majority of everyday activities, including sex, hobbies, and sports
insomnia and excessive sleeping are both types of sleep disturbances.
Lack of energy and fatigue make even small tasks more difficult.
Usually, changes in appetite result in weight loss and a decreased appetite, but for some people, this can also lead to an increase in appetite and weight gain.
Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
sluggish speech, posture, or other body movements
feelings of guilt or worthlessness, a fixation on past mistakes, or self-blame for things that are not your fault
Having issues with memory, decision-making, concentration, and thought
thoughts of suicide, murder, or other violent acts on a regular basis or repeatedly
Physical issues that are not explained, like headaches or back pain
Others may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why, and for many people with depression, symptoms are typically severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
There can be some differences between the typical signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers and adults.
- Younger children may exhibit sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusal to attend school, or underweight as symptoms of depression.
- Teens may experience a variety of symptoms, such as sadness, irritability, feeling down and unworthy, anger, poor performance or poor attendance in school, feeling extremely sensitive and misunderstood, using drugs or alcohol, overeating or sleeping, self-harm, losing interest in regular activities, and avoiding social interaction.
While major depression can accompany attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children with ADHD can exhibit irritability without sadness or loss of interest.
Depression symptoms in older adults
It is unfortunate that depression frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
- memory issues or character changes
- Physical aches or pain
- Symptoms of exhaustion, anorexia, insomnia, aches, and loss of interest in sex that are not brought on by a disease or medication
- Staying in more often than leaving the house to interact with people or try new things
- Especially in older men, suicidal thoughts or feelings
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
ARSENICUM ALBUM 200Anxious, insecure, and perfectionist people who need this remedy may set high standards for themselves and others and become depressed when their expectations are not met. Depression on account of a hidden feeling of guilt. Worry about material security sometimes veers into despair. When feeling ill, these people can be demanding and dependent, even suspicious. Arsenicum album is one of the top remedies for depression. Arsenic patients express sadness, restlessness, and fear.
AURUM METALLICUM 200Aurum met. is another effective treatment for depression. Patients with aurum metallicum are very serious, intensely driven to succeed, and they experience depression when they feel they have failed in some way. Nervous breakdown.
CALCREA CARBONICA 200-This remedy can help a dependable, hardworking person who becomes overburdened by too much worry, work, or physical illness.A person who needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion.A person who needs this remedy often feels fatigued, confused, discouraged, self-pity, and a dread of disaster may develop.
CONIUM MACULATUM 200Excitement causes mental depression. People become depressed during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. They become timid, have poor memory, and are afraid of being alone.
CAUSTICUM 200-Frequent crying, a sense of mental dullness and forgetfulness, anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc. are other indications. They are often deeply sympathetic towards others and having a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world, and may feel depressed because of grief and loss either recently or over time.
In addition to exaggerated fears of madness, being attacked, and disaster, a person in need of CIMCIFUGA RACEMOSA 200 may exhibit painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck while feeling well.
HELLEBORUS NIGER 200– Depression in women during adolescence, when menstruation has not begun or is suppressed. Feeling of depression. General muscle weakness. Sinking sensation, worse at 4 to 8 pm. Mania of a melancholic type. Frequent sighing.
HYPERICUM PERF. 1X-Does not want to get out of bed in the morning. Feels as though an icy cold hand is touching his head. Feels as though he is lifted high in the air. Depression. Sadness and mood swings. Feeling of exhaustion. Feeling that everything involves too much trouble. Anxiety. Brain seems compressed and head feels longer.
IGNATIA MARA 200Teenage depression. Depression caused by worry and grief. Sensitive people who experience grief and disappointment and try to hide the hurt from others may benefit from this remedy. Wanting not to cry or appear too vulnerable to others, they may seem guarded, defensive, and moody. They may also burst out laughing or in to tears, for no apparent reason.
KALI PHOSPHORICUM 200Exhausted, jittery, and jumpy, they may find it difficult to focus and become discouraged and lose confidence. Headaches from mental effort, easy perspiration, sensitivity to cold, anemia, insomnia, and digestion are also symptoms.
LACHESIS 200- AND SEPIA 200-Depression that happens during menopause can be treated very successfully with lachesis and sepia.
NATRUM CARBONICUM 200-People who need this remedy tend to be mild, gentle, and selfless; they try to be cheerful and helpful, and avoid conflict as much as they can. After being hurt or disappointed, they can become depressed, but keep their feelings to themselves. Even when feeling lonely, they withdraw to rest or listen to sad music, which can isolate them even more. Nervous and physically sensitive (to sunlight, to weather changes, and to many foods, especially milk), they may as well be anxious and irritable.
Even though they want other people to feel for them, those who need this remedy can act offended or angry if someone tries to console them, and need to be alone to cry. **NATRUM MURIATICUM 200-**People who need this remedy appear reserved, responsible, and private—yet have strong inner feelings (grief, romantic attachment, anger, or fear of misfortune) that they rarely show.
PULSATILLA NIG. 200-Crying, fresh air, and gentle exercise usually improve their mood, while getting too warm or being in a stuffy room can increase anxiety. Depression around the time of hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual periods, or menopause) can often be helped. People who need this remedy have a childlike softness and sensitivity—and can also be whiny, jealous, and moody.
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