Depression - Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Depression is one of the medical conditions that affect millions of people yearly with no outward signs of symptoms. Depression is a condition that can affect adults, teens and the elderly and is often one of the conditions that is suffered from in conjunction with another type of disease. It is also one that is becoming more prevalent, affecting people of all ages. Depression can occur for different reasons, there are people that suffer from seasonal depression during the winter months, people going through a divorce or that have lost a loved one to death.

Depression is not a singular disorder, there are many different types of depression, including:
• Major depression • Chronic depression • Atypical depression • Seasonal depression
• Bipolar depression • Seasonal depression • Psychotic depression
Each of these types of depression has some similar symptoms, but can also have symptoms that are associated with the particular type of depression. This is a medical condition that should be diagnosed by a medical professional after the first symptoms appear, as it usually will continue to worsen without proper treatment. Treatment for depression often includes anti-depression medications and can include therapy. In some cases depression can become debilitating with patients not wanting to leave home, feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, aches and pains. There can also be feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. The important thing to know is that this is not a condition that is in your head, it is a medical condition that requires treatment in order to keep it under control.

When depression strikes it is important for the physician to conduct a complete physical examination to ensure the condition is not being caused by an underlying medical condition that would require a different type of treatment. Having the proper treatment for depression can make life better for the patient and avoid becoming a debilitating medical condition.