Depression is more than just feeling sad - it involves a lack of pleasure or interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep, low energy, poor concentration, and feelings of worthlessness. It is a common mental disorder but is treatable with therapy and antidepressant medication. Brain scans show physical differences between depressed and non-depressed brains, though they do not explain what causes depression. Treatment involves medication prescribed by a doctor and may also include psychotherapy with a mental health professional.

1. DEPRESSION

2. What is Depression ?
Depression is more than just sadness. People with
depression may experience a lack of interest and pleasure
in daily activities, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or
excessive sleeping, lack of energy, inability to concentrate,
feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt and recurrent
thoughts of death or suicide.
Depression is the most common mental disorder.
Fortunately, depression is treatable. A combination of
therapy and antidepressant medication can help ensure
recovery

3. Symptoms of Depression
Pain areas: in the back
Mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loneliness, loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in
activities, mood swings, panic attack, sadness, or emotional distress
Behavioural: agitation, excessive crying, irritability, restlessness, self-harm, or social isolation
Sleep: early awakening, excess sleepiness, insomnia, or restless sleep
Whole body: excessive hunger, fatigue, or loss of appetite
Cognitive: lack of concentration, slowness in activity, or thoughts of suicide
Psychological: depression or repeatedly going over thoughts
Also common: constipation, headache, poor appetite, substance abuse, or weight loss

4. Effect of Depression on brain
The following images show a
Positron Emission Tomography
(PET) scan of both a non-depressed
and a depressed individuals. In these
images the areas of the brain
involved in mood, thinking, sleep,
appetite, and behavior appear
different. These images do not reveal
why the depression has occurred,
only that a depressed brain is
physically different from a non-
depressed brain

5. Treatment of Depression
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with
depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe
medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with
depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or
other mental health professional.
If you have severe depression, you may need a hospital stay, or you
may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until
your symptoms improve.
Medications
Many types of antidepressants are available, including those below. Be
sure to discuss possible major side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term for treating depression by talking about
your condition and related issues with a mental health professional.
Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or psychological therapy