Depression

Stress, which plays a role in depression, may be a key factor here, since experts believe stress can suppress the production of new neurons (nerve cells) in the hippocampus.

Experts have long wondered why, if depression were primarily the result of low levels of neurotransmitters, people don't feel better as soon as levels of neurotransmitters increase.

The answer may be that mood only improves as nerves grow and form new connections, a process that takes weeks. In fact, animal studies have shown that antidepressants do spur the growth and enhanced branching of nerve cells in the hippocampus.

Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:

• Family history. Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.
• Trauma and stress.Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
• Pessimistic personality.People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).
• Physical conditions.Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.
• Psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.
• Medications:Some medications used for long periods, such as prednisone, certain blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills, antibiotics and even birth control pills in some cases, can cause depression or make an existing depression worse.
• Substance abuse: abuse: While it has long been believed that depression caused people to misuse alcohol and drugs in an attempt to make themselves feel better (self-medication), it is now thought that the reverse can also be the case; substance abuse can actually cause depression.
• Diet: Deficiencies in certain vitamins, such as folic acid and B-12, may cause depression.
• Certain peopleare more likely to develop clinical depression. The following are risk factors for depression in adults: female sex, advanced age, lower socioeconomic status, recent stressful lifeexperience, lack of social support
• Risk factors for childhood or teen:Depressions include the following: continual mental or emotional stress, at home or at school, a recent loss, attention, learning, or conduct disorder, and obesity.
• Risk factors for depression in elderly:especially important are co-occurring illnesses: diseases with which depression is more likely to occur include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease,Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease. Living alone, social isolation, being recently widowed etc.

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