Depression

Depression is an emotional malady that is disturbing the mental peace of many people, owing to their busy stressful hectic day-to-day work schedules. The problem varies in degree from slight sadness to the state of being dejected. Depression is a problem that doesn’t appear to be severe but it is worse than any physical ailment.  

Cause of Depression

Depression can be caused by environmental factors like emotional traumas or climatic conditions as too little sunshine. Endogenous factors, like hormonal changes or reduction of certain neurotransmitters in the brain also may cause depression. The tendency of being depressed often runs in the family, so there are genetic causes as well. 

Changes in hormone levels:  

  • In adolescent, after childbirth (baby blues), after miscarriage, in menopause (menopausal depression), in low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). 

After a traumatic event:  

  • Great emotional loss (death, divorce, disappointment in love), social problems (a move, isolation), career change (reactive depression). 

Seasonal:  

  • Lack of sunshine and long darkness during autumn and winter months (seasonal affective disorder). 

Without any obvious cause:  

  • Endogenous depression. Probably related to a reduction in the level of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters, like serotonin). 

Few prominent depression symptoms: 

  • Acute  sense of loss,
  • Extreme  sadness,
  • Energy loss, 
  • Lack of interest in the outside world, 
  • Fatigue, 
  • Lack of sound sleep, 
  • Loss of appetite, 
  • Giddiness, 
  • Irritability, 
  • Itching, 
  • Nausea, 
  • Poor  concentration, 
  • Low blood pressure, 
  • Low  body temperature, 

Symptoms of a mild depression 

  • Feeling sad and low, and tired. 
  • Restlessness or irritability. 
  • Sleep problems - insomnia or sleeping to excess. 
  • Worry. 
  • Weepiness, crying at inappropriate times. 
  • Difficulty in concentrating and forming and carrying out plans and ideas. 
  • Lack of appetite and spirit. 

Common causes of depression: 

  • Pessimistic attitude, 
  • Stress and strain, 
  • Inheritance, 
  • Relationship problems, 
  • Financial problems, 
  • Menstrual cycle changes, 
  • Hormonal imbalance, 
  • Excessive and indiscriminate use of drugs, 

Symptoms of a serious, major depression 

  • Deep feeling of sadness, despair, misery, gloom and blackness. 
  • Loss of affection towards oneself and others, empty mood. 
  • A sense of failure, self-criticism, feeling of unworthiness, even self-loathing. 
  • Loss of interest in life, in former favorite activities, inability to take pleasure in life. 
  • Decreased energy, fatigue, sluggish. 
  • Loss of sex drive. 
  • Loss of self-esteem and confidence. 
  • Altered appetite, usually a loss of appetite and weight (seldom overeating and weight gain). 
  • Weight fluctuation. 
  • Lethargy, slovenliness, apathy. 
  • Insomnia or sleeping for long periods as a means of escape. 
  • Early morning awaking - typically between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. 
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, even attempt of suicide.  

Physical symptom of depression 

  • Persistent headache, 
  • Persistent digestive disorders, 
  • Chronic pain, 
  • Appetite irregularities: irregular eating, overeating or loss of appetite, 
  • Weight alteration: gain or loss of weight, weight fluctuation, 
  • Changed sleep pattern: insomnia, early morning waking or oversleeping, 
  • Decreased libido, loss of sex drive. 

Treatment for Depression 

Symptomatic Constitutional Homeopathy medicines works well without any sedation or giddiness for depression, Psychological counselling along with homeopathy medication helps.