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    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 once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

    Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

    • 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
    • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
    • Feeling worthless or guilty
    • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
    • Thoughts of death or suicide

    Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression.

    Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumour or vitamin deficiency) can mimic symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out general medical causes.

    Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime.

    Risk factors for depression

    Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances.

    Several factors can play a role in depression:

    • Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression.
    • Genetics: Depression can run in families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 per cent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
    • Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
    • Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.