I don't understand how depression happens. Can anyone explain it?

Question

I have heard so much about depression, but not like the side effects and how it happens and if it is physical or mental or what?
I am just curious.

Answer 1

Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. This seems to be the case with bipolar disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder found that those with the illness have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who do not get ill. However, the reverse is not true: Not everybody with the genetic makeup that causes vulnerability to bipolar disorder will have the illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly stresses at home, work, or school, are involved in its onset.

In some families, major depression also seems to occur generation after generation. However, it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression. Whether inherited or not, major depressive disorder is often associated with changes in brain structures or brain function.

People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression. Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an early form of the illness is not clear.

In recent years, researchers have shown that physical changes in the body can be accompanied by mental changes as well. Medical illnesses such as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness, making the sick person apathetic and unwilling to care for his or her physical needs, thus prolonging the recovery period. Also, a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any stressful (unwelcome or even desired) change in life patterns can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Later episodes of illness typically are precipitated by only mild stresses, or none at all.

Answer 2

There are different kind of Depression. Some is caused from a chemical imbalance, Were you have everything you could ever want But still not be happy
Feelings of overwhelming sadness and/or fear, or the seeming inability to feel emotion (emptiness).
A decrease in the amount of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.
Changing appetite and marked weight gain or loss.
Disturbed sleep patterns, such as insomnia, loss of REM sleep, or excessive sleep (Hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
Fatigue, mental or physical, also loss of energy.
Intense feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, isolation/loneliness and/or anxiety.
Trouble concentrating, keeping focus or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition, including memory.
Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), desire to just "lay down and die" or "stop breathing", recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Feeling and/or fear of being abandoned by those close to one.

Some can be caused by things that happened in a persons life, Like coming from a broken home, Abuse, rape etc

Well...it's just easyer for you to go here and read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression

Answer 3

Depression is mental but can manifest itself physically. Physical side effects can range from


-Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex

-Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"

-Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

-Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

-Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

-Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability

-Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Answer 4

You are bored to death. Life is miserable. You dwell on the sorrow. You dwell on the pain. You dwell on the sickness.

You make yourself sick.

"The blues is a low down aching chill. If you ain't never had them, hope you never will"
-Robert Johnson

Answer 5

DEPRESSION IS ONE OF THOSE WEIRD SITUATIONS. THE REASON IT HAPPENS VARIES FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL. IT CAN START FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS INCLUDING STRESS, TRAUMA, CHEMICAL MAKE-UP, AND HEREDITY. THE SIGNS, HOWEVER ARE ALOT ALIKE IN ALOT OF PEOPLE. I GUESS IT WOULD BE SAFE TO SAY THAT AT THE ONSET OF DEPRESSION THE DEPRESSED PERSON BEGINS TO LOSE THEIR DRIVE FOR LIFE. THIS LEADS TO ISOLATION AND BECAUSE OF THE ISOLATION ONE MAY BEGIN TO FEEL THAT THEY DONT MATTER OR ARE NOT WORTH ANYTHING. THIS MAKES LIFE IN AND OF ITSELF ALMOST UNBEARABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT MAY LEAVE YOU OUT OF ENERGY AND LITERALLY TIRED OF EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING, INCLUDING LIFE ITSELF.

Answer 6

It's when your internal reality doesn't reflect your external reality. Bridge the gap and you'll live well...

Answer 7

U r fortunate not to come across it. better forget it, enjoy what u hv, Live life.