Depression is a type of mood disorder. It causes a continuous feeling of lack of interest in work, life and people and sadness. It is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression. Being depressed affects the way you feel, behave and think. Depression can lead to different kinds of physical and emotional problems. This may include having difficulty in doing regular and normal day-to- day activities, and at times you may feel that it isn’t worth living.

Depression is not just a bout of blues, it isn’t just a weakness. It isn’t easy to simply escape it. An individual suffering from depression may need long-term treatment.

Although it may not be known what exactly causes depression but as with many mental health issues, a variety of factors or reasons may be involved in the development of depression

1. Physical changes in their brains may be seen in people suffering from depression. Although, the significance of such changes is still not certain, it may later help pinpoint some of the causes.
2. Naturally occurring brain chemicals also known as neurotransmitters are quite likely to play a role in depression. Some of the recent research points out changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurological circuits (wiring of the brain) involved in maintaining mood stability may play a vital role in depression and the treatment of depression.
3. Changes in hormonal balance are also likely to be involved in causing or initiating depression. Hormone changes which result from pregnancy and even during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum). Other hormonal problems being thyroid gland problems, menopause and a number of other hormonal conditions.
4. Depression is likely to be more common in those whose blood relatives have also suffered from depression. Researchers have been trying to find out the type of genes that may be involved in causing depression.

1. Weeping easily, feeling sadness, emptiness or loss of hope
2. Outbursts of anger, increased irritability, frustration, even for small issues
3. Complete loss of interest or loss of pleasure in most or all normal daily activities, such as sports, hobbies or sex.
4. Disturbances in sleep which including insomnia (complete loss of sleep) or sleeping too much.
5. Small tasks take extra effort as the person may feel tired and complete loss of energy
6. There may be reduced appetite and weight loss or at times there is increased cravings for food and weight gain
7. Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
8. Slowness in thinking, speaking or body movements
9. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, brooding on past failures, self-blame
10. Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
11. Repeated thoughts of death
12. Suicidal thoughts
13. Suicide attempts or suicide

14. Physical problems such as back pain or headaches which cannot be explained

Most of the time, signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those seen in adults, but there may be some differences such as

1. In younger children, symptoms of depression may include refusal to go to school, being underweight, the child may be sad, irritable, clinging, worried, may experience aches and pains for no particular reason.
2. In teenagers, symptoms may include irritability, sadness, a feeling of negativity and worthless, anger, poor performance and/or poor attendance at school, feeling of being misunderstood and extremely sensitive to everything. Teenager also end up using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleep too much, do self-harm, loose interest in normal activities, avoid social interaction.

Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and should therefore never be taken lightly.

Depression, unfortunately and often goes unidentified, undiagnosed and untreated in old people, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be slightly different or at time less obvious in old people

1. Difficulty in remembering
2. Personality changes
3. Body ache
4. Fatigue
5. Appetite loss
6. Problems sleeping
7. Loss of interest in sex (not caused by another illness or medicines)
8. Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
9. Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men

1. Some personality traits such as low self-esteem, being too dependent, self-critical, pessimistic
2. History of traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial difficulties
3. Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicide
4. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or having variations in the development of genital organs that aren’t clearly male or female (intersex) in an unsupportive situation
5. History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post- traumatic stress disorder
6. Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs
7. Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease
8. Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before stopping any medication)

Depression is a serious illness that can take a terrific toll on you and your family. It often gets worse if it is not treated and results in behavioral, emotional, and health problems that show effects on all the areas of life.

1. Overweight or obesity which in turn may lead to diabetes and heart illness
2. Pain
3. Alcohol and/or drug dependency
4. Anxiety, panic disorder and social phobia
5. Family problems, relationship difficulties, and work and school problems
6. Social isolation
7. Suicidal thoughts, feelings and/or suicide attempts or suicide
8. Self-harm such as cutting oneself
9. Premature death from diseases

Homeopathic treatment of depression –

Homeopathy understands the history and personality of the person suffering from depression, not just the disease itself. Depression is often a sign of an underlying disturbance, an unresolved conflict at times. Homeopathy aims at understanding the entire person suffering from depression, thus also helping her/him to get to terms with the illness in a manner which benefits her/him and also the family. Homeopathy medicines are natural and safe to use. They can help treat depression quite well. The root- cause of depression is treated, the cause that is responsible for the condition. All of this without any side effects. It is always recommended to start homeopathy as the first line of treatment for depression. Do not wait for depression to affect your life and that of your family. Consult your homeopath to start homeopathy immediately.

1. Effective management of stress,
2. Increasing resilience and boosting self-esteem.
3. Take help of your family and friends, more so in times of difficult situations.
4. Diet has a major role to play in the treatment of depression
5. Yoga is extremely helpful in treatment of depression