At first it might be possible that you will not recognize a major depression symptom, but he could have mild symptoms. But as time passes and the symptoms persist for more than two weeks it can be diagnose with such illness.



These symptoms includes irrational anxiety, persistent sadness and very low moods; changes in appetite and sleeping patterns; loss of interest on activities that once give pleasure; slow physical response and agitation; strong thoughts on death and suicide; and physical illness like headaches, digestive orders and chronic pain that do not respond with mere medication.

Most people experience some kind of trauma in their life that causes major depression at least once in their life, but there is also a possibility that this will happen again after a few years.

Nevertheless, major depression can also occur even if there is no major life crisis. In which case, the cause could be biological based on genetic disposition since family history of depression is contributory to such illness.

People may have biological make-up that makes them prone to major depression. Some triggering effect to the illness would be chronic stress, drug abuse, alcoholism, major loss or change and even medications for heart disease and cancer. This shows that major depression can be cause both psychologically and biologically.

Major depression is very much treatable. There are many types of treatment for major depression but the treatment depends on the severity and behaviors displayed by the patient. So far there are three well-established types of treating depression.

First is psychotherapy which is composed of cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy deals with the negative thoughts and behavioral patterns of depressed person while interpersonal therapy improves and assists the person with interpersonal roles and relationship that may be related to the cause of depression.

The second treatment is through medication. Studies show that depression is the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that affect the person's mood. These neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine and nor epinephrine which can be corrected with antidepressant medicines.

Lastly, electroconvulsive therapy is also an effective treatment to major depression and other severe types.