Understandably, my outlook was poor. He then added that he doubted I would feel much better mentally until I improved physically. Pep talks weren't likely to help much until the medicine worked against my disease. This explanation helped me understand the nature of this depression and relieved me from feeling guilty about not being able to control the depression. From that moment I have thought that many would profit from having a better understanding of depression, especially the more serious or clinical depression which is so often present in chronic or serious illness.
Understanding can become an effective weapon in our struggle.
Since chemical depression was first explained to me, I have learned that although a serious or chronic illness makes us particularly vulnerable, the chemical imbalance that causes depression may occur in a variety of ways. The following are a few of the known and suspected causes of this complicated type of depression. Most doctors believe that there is an inner relationship between depression and altered levels of chemicals that affect the brain, such as norepinephine, and an endocrine disturbance. Viral illnesses and endocrine disorders can cause depression.- Electrolyte disturbances, such as an upset in the levels of sodium and potassium in the body, are also indicted as causes of depression. Hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, and even fatigue can produce this type of depression.