Exogenous depression vs. endogenous depression

Exogenous depression is called reactive depression. This is a form of depression that is caused due to triggers like stress, loss of a job, relationship problems, death, and divorce. This kind of depression is easy to identify and treat since the causative factors are known. Symptoms of this condition include moodiness, sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, appetite and sleep disturbances, suicidal tendencies. The main aim of treatment is to identify the problem or event or series of events which led to depression. Treatment also aims to help the patient deal with the problems or stressors in a healthy way. A combination of support groups, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and antidepressants may be used to treat exogenous depression. More severe forms of depression may require the use of more potent antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy. Endogenous depression on the other hand seems to stem from within. There is no specific factor or trigger which leads to depression. This kind of depression is biological and seems to be associated with some chemical imbalances in the brain. There does seem to be a genetic link to endogenous depression. The symptoms of this form of depression are the same as that of exogenous depression.