Depression

(everyday general usage) commonly refers to a downturn in mood which may be relatively transitory and perhaps due to something trivial. The common usage of this term differs significantly from the medical term , which is a marked by symptoms that last two weeks or more and are so severe that they interfere with daily living.

In the field of psychiatry the term can also have the everyday general meaning but it refers more specifically to a when it has reached a severity and duration to warrant a diagnosis. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that a is often reported as being: “… depressed, sad, hopeless, discouraged, or ‘down in the dumps’.”

In a clinical setting, a can be something a patient reports (a symptom), or something a clinician observes (a sign), or both.

Determinants of mood

can be the result of many factors, individually or acting in concert.

Environment

Reactions to events, often a loss in some form, are perhaps the most obvious causes. This loss may be obvious, such as the loss of a loved one, or having moved from one house to another (mainly with children), or less obvious, such as disillusionment about one’s career prospects. A lack of control of one’s environment can lead to feelings of helplessness. Domestic disputes and financial difficulties are common causes of a . Other causes of are loneliness, and feelings that one isn’t cared about by others.

Internal

Sometimes the may relate more to internal processes or even be triggered by them. Pessimistic views of life or a lack of self-esteem can lead to . Illnesses and changes in cognition that occur in psychoses and dementias, to name but two, can lead to .

Anxiety

Anxiety and stress can both cause a down swing in mood and can lead to a more serious state of if left unchecked. If mood becomes serious, the person might resolve to suicide.

Biological models of causation

These are varied but generally include hereditary, neurotransmitter, hormonal, illness, seasonal factors, exposure to dampness and mold in the home[1] and to the frequent exposure via the frequent use of air fresheners and other aerosols in the home.[2] which are more fully discussed in the article.

Adaptive benefits of

While a is usually seen as deleterious, it may have adaptive benefits. Of interest is the fact that physical illness tends to lead to depressive behavior and some diseases, such as influenza, are often accompanied by a degree of that seems out of proportion to the physical illness. A is adaptive in illness in that it leads to the person resting and in general elicits care. Seasonal affective disorder may point to an atavistic link with behavior in hibernation.

Mental disorders with

A is usually a core feature of some mental disorders such as:

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April 9, 2008 | Filed Under Mental Disorders 

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