Sleep may be disturbed, either with difficulty getting off to sleep or waking in the middle of the night or early morning. Symptoms are often worse in the morning and uncontrollable crying can occur. Memory may be affected and sex drive may be lost. Symptoms of anxiety may occur and may show itself as headaches, tension pains or palpitations. In severe instances, feelings of guilt and worthlessness and sometimes even hallucinations can occur.
Depression can occur due to a multitude of causes.
It may be a result of a physical illness, bereavement, alcoholism, childbirth, or severe life events. It may occur as a result of problems that occurred in early childhood or as a result of present difficulties relating to home or work. It has been suggested that people who tend to get depressed may have inherited a subtle chemical abnormality in their brain. This might make them more sensitive or susceptible to one or more of the life events mentioned above. Treatment involves a combination of psychological approaches which may be supplemented by drug treatment.