It is a condition that cannot be wished or willed away. Depressed persons feel down, sad, and hopeless. Often, they feel they may never be happy again and are unworthy of treatment. With this sense of hopelessness, they may occasionally wish to die to relieve their suffering. Depression must be taken seriously because it can be fatal.
Depression is believed to be caused by a combination of factors.
Research studies suggest there is a genetic predisposition for depressive disorders. Chromosomes 17 and 21 have been linked to depression. Bad life experiences, such as financial hard times, difficult relationships, or marital problems, may trigger a depressive episode that might last more than several weeks. Research suggests that traumatic life experiences may cause permanent functional and structural damage to the brain. Often, the cause of depression is not related to any particular life experience.