Niche Topics

I was brought up in a family struggling with depression. My grandmother had depression, my father suffered depression in silence, my sister died because of depression and I, learning to deal with depression.

Depression is real; it can happen to anyone and at any point in life. When a depressed person feels sad, discouraged, worthless, hopeless and/or helpless for weeks, months or even longer, it can interfere with daily life and normal function.

There are several types of depression - major depression, dysthymia, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Depressions are often distinguished by their prevalent features, duration and severity of symptoms.

Major depression is one of the most severe type of depression. It impairs one's ability to work, sleep, eat, study and enjoy most or all once-pleasurable activities. A person may experience only one episode of major depression, but often there are repeated episodes over an individual's lifetime.

There is no single cause of depression. Intensive research showed that depression often results  from a combination of genetic, biochemical, psychological factors and stressful or traumatic events such as divorce, job loss, and death of a loved one.

Depression, regardless of severity, is highly treatable and responds well to medication and psychotherapy. If left untreated, depression can lead alcohol abuse and even suicide.