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The Causes and Effects of Depression

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The Causes and Effects of Depression
The Causes and Effects of Depression Depression has numerous causes and effects which affect not only the person but the people around them. Depression doesn’t have a specific cause; in most cases it’s different for everyone. It is a common, treatable mental illness that can be experienced at any time in life. It is often described with feeling sad, unhappy, miserable, or “down in the dumps”. Most people have these feelings on occasion. There are several types of depression. These different types of depression describe slight, but often important, diagnostic differences. True clinical depression interferes with mood disorder in everyday life for weeks, months, or even years. Most people think depression affects only one person, but it also affects the family and friends around them. The exact cause of depression is unknown. Depression can be genetic or triggered by stressful events. It can also be a combination of both. In most cases it’s genetic, but it can also occur if your family doesn’t have a history of the illness. While no single life event is thought to cause depression, stressful events can trigger, or worsen, depression. Some research has shown those with a specific genetic abnormality are at greater risk of depression during stressful life events. Job loss, divorce, neglect, and the death of someone close to you are common stressful life events that can cause depression. Depression can change the way a person sees him or herself and the people around him or her. The depressed often have a negative attitude, and are more pessimistic. Symptoms include irritability, weight loss or gain, self-hate, guilt, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide or death. Severe depression symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. A person with depression may be unable to show affection towards anyone. They will avoid friends and social gatherings; begin to isolate from other people. They might even begin to lack interest in


Cited: Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors." Major Depression. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 04 May 2012. . Medicine, Nadine Kaslow, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Emory University School of. "What Is The Impact Of Depression On One 's Family And Friends?" ABC News. ABC News Network, 27 Feb. 2008. Web. 04 May 2012. .

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