Causes of depression vary among individuals. Some episodes of depression are strictly biological in origin, and often run in families. Other bouts of depression have a psychological trigger such as death of a loved one, breakup of a marriage or other significant relationship, loss of job, or illness. Causes are many, but the overwhelming result is to rob the person of the ability to experience pleasure in anything. Ultimately, some depressed individuals contemplate or attempt suicide to end the pain.
Help is out there.
Often, the best place to start is with a general practitioner, who can rule out other diseases that can mimic depression. Psychological evaluation and counseling may be available through your local public health agencies. Most universities and some corporations also have counseling centers that offer treatment to affiliated individuals. Treatment by a private-practice psychologist or psychiatrist may be the best option for persons with medical insurance. Most health insurance policies now reimburse for mental health therapy, although unfortunately often at a lower rate than for other kinds of illnesses.