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Sometimes depressions runs in the family. Genetic susceptibility makes them vulnerable to depression. An external episode of some trauma is often related to causing depression as well. Death, loss of someone dear, relationship problems, financial crisis and/or social obligations may also be a cause of depression.

Medications like antidepressants are the treatment of choice for the majority of types of depression. A vast variety of antidepressants are available in the market including: TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs have less side effects and are safer to use on elderly people.

In total there are 3 phases of treatment:

1. Acute treatment (till remission occurs),
2. Continuation treatment (from remission till end of the treatment)
3. Maintenance treatment (to prevent further recurrences)

Occasionally, electric current is passed through the brain to produce controlled convulsions. These are helpful particularly in those people who are not responding to antidepressant medications. The ECT is given in hospitals under anesthesia to reduce pain. A side effect is short term memory loss but this side effects is temporary.

Psychotherapy is another treatment option that may include:

• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
• Behavior therapy
• Group therapy
• Family and marital therapy

There are also various mood stabilizing drugs given in depression like sodium valproate, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, benzodiazepine, topiramate and lamotrigine.

Depression is a common condition with a lifetime risk of 8.12% in males & 20-26% in females. It may be mild, moderate or severe. The risk of severe depression in a lifetime is about 8%. Clinically, significant depression is often referred to as major depressive disorder (MDD). It is major cause of suicide and disability. It is difficult to differentiate it from a medical condition because it has somatic as well as psychological symptoms.

The typical depression episode is characterized by significant loss of appetite resulting in weight loss, early morning awakening, loss of interest, loss of reaction to pleasant happenings, withdrawal from friends and family, anger, anxiety, loss of concentration, feelings of guilt, pessimism, thoughts of suicide and/or lack of enthusiasm.

Depression associated with a medical condition aggravates any associated disability, diminishes adherence to medical treatment and may even shorten one’s life span.

Bipolar mood disorder is a relapsing mood disorder which may involve periods of major depression mixed with periods of high mood and activity. The relapse rates are very high, though patients seems perfectly normal between the episodes.