Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. Depression results from a complex partly understood biochemical changes in the brain, which are influenced and supported by multiple causes inclusive of the genetic trait, circumstantial factors, hormonal factors, socio-personal reasons, etc. Increased levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine are found to improve the state of depression.

Causes of depression

• Too much or too little of these bio-chemicals called Neuro-transmitters

• Genetic factor

• Difficult life events e.g. loss of loved one, divorce, financial problems etc

• Occurs with other physical illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes

Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood and unexplained crying spells

• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt feeling, worthlessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex, social withdrawal

• Loss of energy, persistent lethargy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts

• Restlessness, irritability, anger, agitation

• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Benefits of Homeopathy

The best part of homeopathic treatment is that the medicines are totally side effect free and its long-term use leads to no damage to the body. Homeopathic medicines also do not cause any sedation.

Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counselling or both. Homeopathy offers an excellent treatment for all stages of Depression, especially in the early stages. Homeopathy can take care of various symptoms of depression. Extreme cases of depression or the cases where the patients are on high doses of the conventional medicines for a long time (drug dependency) may not find good results using homeopathy. Homeopathy can positively influence personality traits that are working at the base of disease. The important aspect is that depression is a disease in which genetic make-up is topped with environmental stress result in disease. Homeopathic treatments are very deep acting and having the potential to counter genetic tendencies. Homeopathy medicines address the root cause of the disease and hence prevent the relapse and recurrence of the condition.