Friday, January 22, 2010

Depression Is Often Associated With Unemployment And Poverty.

By Pedro Toledo

Depression can be a very difficult health issue to understand and this lack of awareness and understanding can create situations of suicidal attempts that could easily be prevented. Current health events give us a lot of information on the symptoms and characteristics of problems related to disorders like depression. Depression has now being accepted as a disease and therefore, a treatment for this disease is also available.

Genetic factors: According to WHO, it has been consistently observed that depression tends to run in families. For the uninitiated, genes are like computer chips within our body that hardwire or pre-program us towards certain physical or physiological predispositions. The BlackDog Institute (Australia) suggests that "the genetic risk of developing depression is about 40%, with the remaining 60% being due to factors in the individual's own environment". For example, in 2003, a New Zealand study suggested a certain gene - responsible for the transportation of serotonin - in conjunction with a serious life stressor was responsible for depression (Caspi A et. al. Science 301: 386-389). At the time, this was heralded as a significant breakthrough in the understanding and treatment depression.

However, according to a recent meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "a gene variation that has long been thought to increase the risk of depression in combination with stressful life events may have no effect after all" (Serotonin Gene, Even Combined With Life Events, Has No Effect On Depression; June 17, 2009). The search for a single gene or a combination of genes in the cause of depression continues. Biological Factors: An imbalance in biochemicals within the brain, known as neurotransmitters, "may produce" depression. However, according to WHO, "the assumption that depression is the direct result of a biochemical imbalance may be an oversimplification". There is much conjecture and debate as to whether a biochemical imbalance is the cause of depression or this imbalance is a result of the depression itself - a classic chicken and the egg scenario.

However, if you are a person who usually pays attention to the current health events, then you will definitely come across the symptoms and cures of depression and then you will understand that what you have is a health problem which can be cured. This is the first and most important step to be taken when it comes to depression or any kind of disease.

Once awareness has been established, then it is time to seek help from the proper professional who will be able to help you get back on your feet. Depression can be a very disturbing problem and it drives people away from society, from their friends and family and it leads to many suicidal cases on vey regular basis. Current health events mention the need to have the proper guidance to be able to control and cure depression before it reaches a stage where it is gone on to a dangerous level.

Resorting to the practical and natural ways to get rid of depression instead of using medications is far more effective in the long term. Natural and practical remedies to depression lead to self improvement without the costs and without the hassles.

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