| Depression is no carnival. However, it may take a | | | | critically low. This also affects the worsening of |
| parade to understand the physical causes of | | | | physical movement, which in effect, can cause the |
| depression. | | | | depression to worsen. |
| Depression is a serious health condition. The physical | | | | With MS, the condition destroys the nerves that |
| causes of depression are characterized by a | | | | transport signals for mood neurotransmitters. Without |
| neurochemical or hormonal imbalance. Genes, | | | | the nerves to carry the needed chemicals, this will |
| hormones, illnesses, disabilities, medication, and diets | | | | result in depressed symptoms. |
| cause these imbalances. | | | | BURNOUT |
| BIOCHEMISTRY | | | | This is similar to CFS, but CFS is long-term and |
| We have chemicals in our brains that affect our | | | | burnout is usually short-term. This is characterized by |
| moods and emotions. Some of these chemicals are | | | | a depletion of mental and physical energy. This is |
| norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. A chemical | | | | from a prolonged overwork and/or an overload of |
| imbalance will result if there is not enough, too much, | | | | demands and obligations placed upon an individual. |
| or inconsistent usage of those chemicals. If the | | | | Aching joints, extreme fatigue, or a decrease in bone |
| chemicals in our brains are off balance, or halts | | | | density and muscle mass are other physical causes of |
| producing, this will affect our mood. It is just like | | | | depression. |
| performing in a parade. If one person stops marching, | | | | DISABILITIES |
| it could affect the rest of the parade. | | | | Approximately 20% - 30% of people with long-term |
| GENES | | | | disabilities have a depressive condition. Those with a |
| Depression is hereditary. If one parent has | | | | loss of limbs, senses, or other abilities can suffer |
| depression, the child has a 27% chance of inheriting | | | | from low self-esteem or physical and emotional pain. |
| depression, and that percentage doubles if both | | | | Emotional pain can cause physical symptoms of |
| parents have it. | | | | depression. These symptoms may include muscle |
| HORMONES | | | | soreness, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, and |
| Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Post Partum, and | | | | lack of energy. |
| Menopause can cause depressed mood, mood | | | | MEDICATIONS AND DIET |
| swings, irritability, and tension or anxiety. About a | | | | Most antidepressant medications come with a |
| week before a woman's menustration, she may | | | | warning now, stating that it is possible the medication |
| experience these symptoms. Some women develop | | | | can make the depression worse than it was. This |
| Post Pardum after childbirth, which is characterized by | | | | sounds counteractive; however most medications for |
| depression or a deep sense of loss. Two of the | | | | depression are helpful and efficient. The use of |
| female hormones, estrogen and testosterone, drop | | | | certain medications, such as steroids and some blood |
| significantly 24 hours after childbirth. This rapid change | | | | pressure medications can cause physical symptoms |
| can cause depression, just as the small change in | | | | of depression. |
| hormones through menstruation. | | | | TRAUMA |
| ILLNESS | | | | A blunt force to the head can cause brain damage. |
| Medical illnesses often cause depression. Some | | | | This can alter many other functions occurring in the |
| examples are Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid | | | | brain as well. An injury at work, school, sports, or |
| gland), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Parkinson's | | | | other physical trauma can offset the brain and body's |
| Disease (PD), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). | | | | natural rhythms. |
| CFS patients feel as if they have a long lasting flu. | | | | A full medical and psychological evaluation will confirm |
| Some symptoms like a sore throat, swollen glands, | | | | the cause of depression. This will rule out other |
| muscle pain, and severe prolonged fatigue cause | | | | causes or underlining conditions. Treatments for |
| depression. | | | | physical causes of depression may include medication, |
| The thyroid regulates hormones. An underactive | | | | electroconvulsive treatments (ECT), psychotherapy, |
| thyroid gland will affect the hormones and chemicals | | | | art and dance therapy, physical therapy, or other |
| responsible for mood and emotions. | | | | recommended treatments. |
| In PD, the amount of dopamine, one of the "feel | | | | Once we treat the physical causes of depression, we |
| good" neurotransmitters responsible for mood, is | | | | can march, without a halt, in that parade once again. |