The document discusses depression, including its causes, symptoms, and types. It notes that depression can be caused by factors like family history, life changes, illness, medication, and substance use. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite and sleep, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. The common types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Treatment options mentioned are psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

1. Academic writing
 Name- sandeep kumar
 Student Id-
f156d8d9f30211e9887eb76
6d5ee6e23
 Affiliation- Banaras Hindu
University

2. acknowledgement
 Academic writing

3. Understanding
Depression

4. What causes Depression?
Family History
Having family members who have
depression may increase a person’s
risk
Deficiencies of certain chemicals in
the brain may lead to depression

5. Major Life Changes
Negative or particularly
stressful events can trigger
depression. Examples include
the death of a loved one or a
job change.
Major Illnesses such as heart
attack, stroke or cancer may
trigger depression.

6. Certain medications used
alone or in combination can
cause side effects much like
the symptoms of depression.
Use of Alcohol or other Drugs
can lead to or worsen
depression.
Depression can also occur for
no apparent reason at all!

7. Symptoms of Depression
Vary from person to
person
2 key signs are loss of
interest in things you
like to do, and
pervasive sadness or
irritability

8. Additional Signs include:
 Changes in feelings such as:
 Feeling empty
 Inability to enjoy anything
 Hopelessness
 Loss of sexual desire
 Loss of warm feelings for family or friends
 Feelings of self blame or guilt
 Loss of self esteem
 Inexplicable crying spells, sadness or
irritability

9. Changes in behavior and
attitude
 These may include:
 General slowing down
 Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
 Poor memory
 Inability to concentrate
 Suicidal thoughts and feelings
 Difficulty making decisions

10. Physical Complaints
 These may include:
 Sleep disturbances such as
insomnia, early morning waking,
or sleeping too much
 Lack of energy
 Loss of appetite
 Weight loss or gain
 Unexplained headaches or
backaches
 Stomachaches, indigestion or

11. Common Types of Depression
Major Depression
Dysthymia
Bipolar Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD)

12. Major Depression
 This type causes symptoms that may:
 Begin suddenly, possibly triggered by a loss,
crisis or stressful change
 Interfere with normal functioning
 Continue for months or years
 It is possible for a person to have only one
episode of major depression. However, It is
more common for episodes to be long lasting
or to recur several times during a person’s life

13. Dysthymia
People with this illness may be
consistently and mildly depressed
for years. They function fairly well
on a daily basis, but their
relationships and self esteem suffer
over time.

14. Bipolar Disorder (A.K.A. Manic-Depression)
 People with this type of illness change back and
forth between periods of depression and
periods of mania (an extreme high, sometimes
with agitation or irritability).
 Symptoms of mania may include:
 Less need for sleep
 Overconfidence
 Racing thoughts
 Reckless behavior
 Increased energy
 Mood changes are often gradual, but can be
sudden

15. Season Affective Disorder
 This is depression that coincides with
changes in the season. Most cases
begin in the fall or winter, when there is
a decrease in sunlight
(more common in regions
farther north)
 Less often, depression
can occur in late Spring
or summer

16. Professional treatment is
helpful for all these types of
depression.

17. Psychotherapy
 Counseling can help many depressed people
understand, accept and feel better about
themselves. People also learn more effective
ways of coping with life’s adversities and
difficulties. For example:
 Interpersonal therapy works to change how
people how to accept self and relate to
others that affects mood and self-worth.
 Cognitive therapy helps people change
negative thinking, behavior patterns and
attitudes that affect self esteem and overall
sense of well being.

18. Medical Treatment for Depression
 Medication
 Antidepressants are an option (most often for
more severe cases) that can help ease the
symptoms of depression and return a person
to a better level of functioning. Medication is
often crucial for cases of bipolar (typically a
mood stabilizer).
Antidepressants are not habit forming and
generally have minimal
side effects.