Depression is a common mood disorder that involves an intense feeling of sadness and decreased interest in daily activities. It differs from the mild mood changes that we regularly encounter as a normal part of everyday life. Major life events, including the loss of a loved one or bereavement, can trigger depression. The severity of depression varies from case to case. This can be very distressing for both the individual and their family.
There has been some research suggesting that there may be several possible causes of depression. These causes are believed to be related to brain chemistry. Some studies have shown that individuals suffering from depression have lower levels of two brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine. While increases in these two chemicals are known to be linked to depression, more research is needed to confirm this finding. More studies are also needed to examine possible connections between depression and brain chemistry in children.
Another possible cause of depression can be the seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Affective disorders such as this usually develop in the wintertime months when people have less sunlight. The symptoms of this disorder are often very similar to those of seasonal affective disorder, which is why many people often confuse them with depression. However, SAD is not caused by a depressed person's lack of exposure to sunlight.
Other medical conditions or changes in your lifestyle can also be linked to mood changes and depression. For example, those who suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure may experience symptoms similar to depression. In addition, those who experience major changes in their employment or their schedules, such as the birth of a child, may also develop depression. Changes in diet can also have an effect on mood changes. Many people have found that certain foods, such as chocolate and fried foods, can have a negative impact on their mood. However, these links are still unclear.
Acetylcholine is an amino acid that is produced by the nerve cell bodies and is responsible for transmitting information from nerve cell to nerve cell. Depression has been shown to be related to reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain. There are two types of acetylcholine: non-esterone and estrogen. In addition to being responsible for transmission of information between nerve cells, estrogen has an important role in regulating mood in both men and women.
As mentioned above, depression has been linked to other medical conditions and changes in lifestyle, which can lead to mood changes. If you find that you are experiencing symptoms usually involved with depression, it is important to see your doctor to find the underlying cause. He or she will likely begin by conducting a basic medical examination to rule out any possible physical problem. Depression can also be a symptom of another medical condition, such as menopause, which is when the body's hormone levels change. It is important to note that some prescription medications can alter the production of neurotransmitters and thus may also lead to depression, so it is important that any prescription medications that you are taking do not alter your neurotransmitters.
It can take several weeks to several months for symptoms to surface and become evident. If you find that your depression has emerged suddenly and without warning, it is important to document all of your symptoms. Write down the times that you feel unusually sad, or if you find yourself waking up at unusual times or having trouble concentrating. Some people also find that their depression symptoms intensify after they go to bed, or during the day while they are relaxing.
Several researchers have also found that the brain's reward center, which is located in the mid-brain, plays a large role in depression. The reward center in the brain releases dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure, and helps to trigger the release of hormones like serotonin. In the current study, a substance called the N-acetyl-l-carnitine amino acid was found to alleviate symptoms of depression by blocking the pathway between the amygdala and the reward center. N-acetyl-L-carnitine is thought to increase the availability of energy in the brain, which in turn improves symptoms of depression.
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