There is no simple answer to the question of why someone suffers from depression. If it’s not triggered by a traumatic event, some researchers suggest that it could be due to chemical imbalances in the brain – they blame it on inefficient neurotransmitters, responsible for our emotional wellbeing.

Here are some other possible contributing factors

• Genetics – depression could run in the family. If a parent has suffered from major depression, you are eight times as likely to become depressed
• Stress and difficult life situations such as bereavement or radical change, or remembering traumatic memories, could trigger depression
• Low self esteem and a pessimistic outlook on life
• Serious illness, or even seemingly insignificant ones
• Feeling alone, having no friends to talk situations through with
• Certain medications can cause depression as a side-effect
• Anxiety, substance abuse, drinking, obesity, schizophrenia and eating disorders are all possible causes
• Women are more likely to admit to being depressed than men

Treatment

The majority of patients, even those with extreme depression, improve once they have obtained treatment. The type of treatment that will suit you the best will be judged according to the severity of your depression, the persistence of symptoms and your circumstances.

Without treatment, 4 out of 5 people will get completely better within about 6 months. Some people, however, remain depressed for years without help. Furthermore, people who have had a depressive episode have a 50:50 chance of having another one, and a small percentage will eventually commit suicide.

Antidepressant medications

• May take up to a month to begin to take effect, although they may help reduce anxiety and insomnia in only a few days
• Certain drugs may cause unpleasant side effects like seizures, constipation increased blood pressure, nausea, sweating or insomnia if you take high doses Some may be unsuited to breastfeeding mothers; others actually increase depression and suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers, so you need to talk with your doctor to find the right one for you
• You will not crave these drugs or find that you need to take increasing dosages to get the same effect. However, stopping antidepressants suddenly can prompt withdrawal symptoms, so initially reduce your dosage slowly before stopping altogether
• It has been suggested that St John's Wort, an alternative herbal remedy available from chemists, is effective in mild to moderate depression and minimises negative side effects

Psychotherapy

• Often talking about your feelings with a professional counsellor is an important part of treating depression, and may be successful on its own for people with mild or moderate depression
• People with major depressive disorder, however, should combine psychotherapy with medication
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy addresses the underlying negative thinking that may have caused you to become depressed
• Interpersonal Therapy tackles your relationships with other people
• Dynamic Therapies help you to see examine your past experiences and how they influence the way you see the world and deal with present day events
• Therapy may bring back distressing emotions from the past or change the way you see your relationships, but they are effective

Do:

• Tell someone how you feel. It might help to go over painful experiences a few times – it will help you to get used to your emotions and eventually heal
• Keep active and fit, even if only by doing everyday things like going for a walk or vacuuming. It could help you to forget about your depressed thoughts and even sleep better
• Try to eat a healthy balanced diet, especially fruit and vegetables
• Don’t drink alcohol – it increases depression and doesn’t solve any problems
• If you can’t sleep, lie down and rest anyway, perhaps listening to music to occupy your mind
• Finding a support group and sharing your experiences with people in similar situations will help
• Keep a diary or write about your problem, thinking of ways to solve it. Make a list of small achievable goals and tick them off as you do them.
• Remember that you are not alone and things will eventually get better – you’ll come out the other side a stronger person and be able to cope with life and relationships better in the future
• Don’t feel guilty or that it is a sign of weakness to ask for help

Depression and Obesity

There is a strong link between obesity and mood and anxiety disorders, especially among people with higher incomes and education, according to research.

A US study by the Group Health Centre for Health Studies found that an obese person is about 25 per cent more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder, such as depression. It also indicated that among more educated people who are obese, that likelihood may be as high as 44 per cent.

While the study did not show whether obesity leads to depression or vice versa, "it's almost certain that the association works in both directions," said psychiatrist Greg Simon lead author of the study.

"Understanding the connection between obesity and depression is an important public health issue because both of these conditions are so common and have a significant impact on our health care systems," Dr. Simon explained.

This study shows that when a person is depressed, the odds of also becoming obese are as high as 40 percent.

Obesity is defined in the study as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.

More on Depression:

Understanding Depression – The stats, signs and symptoms

Depression and Teens – Depressed people are getting younger and younger

The Causes of Depression – Causes, treatments and what to do if you’re depressed

Your Mental Health: When It’s Not Just Depression – Bipolar Disorder

Depression and Addiction – How depression is linked to drinking and drugs