It is not a sign of weakness or lack of will. You wouldn't feel embarrassed if you needed to treat other illnesses. So, you shouldn't be embarrassed about having depression and getting treatment either.

Depression is more common than people realise; rest assured you are not alone. It happens at all ages, in both sexes, and at any stage of life. It is believed that one in five women and one in ten men will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.

Feeling sad sometimes may not mean depression.

Every day, we can live with some suffering or sadness that is momentary. It’s normal to feel sad because a loved one has passed away or to go through a melancholic moment. After a short period of time, life returns to its normal rhythm, and there is no longer any harm to its quality. When we use the term depression, we are referring to a health disorder, the symptoms and duration of which are specific. The type of depression that requires professional attention affects mood, thoughts, physical activity, and behaviour in various ways.

Symptoms of depression

The term depression refers to persistent sadness or a loss of interest and/or pleasure in most activities. See some symptoms of depression:

• Changes in appetite and weight;

• Changes in sleep pattern;

• Agitation or delay in responding to body movements that are noticed by other people;

• Loss of energy or feeling tired all the time;

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions;

• Feeling of uselessness or excessive guilt;

• Repetitive thoughts of death or suicide.


What are the causes of depression?

There are several causes of depression. There is no definitive explanation as to why one person may have the disorder and another may not. There are a series of individual factors that work together and allow or prevent someone from developing the disorder at a certain point in life. Sometimes it is possible to identify the causes of depression, but there are occasions when the problem manifests itself for no apparent reason, even in people whose lives seem to be going great. Some reasons why this occurs are: Individual characteristics - a person is more likely to develop depression if their father or mother also had it. However, not everyone with a family history will develop the disorder.
Physiological and biochemical factors of depression - seem to occur as a result of an imbalance of brain chemicals, neurotransmitters. Other health conditions – there are some that can cause symptoms very similar to those of depression. For example, stroke, endocrinological diseases, and some medications.


What is the treatment for depression?

Medication – antidepressants are the most common form of treatment for depression. But don’t take it on your own or recommend it to someone you know; each case is different from another. Only your doctor can recommend the best treatment for you. Therapy – in addition to helping to identify the cause of the disorder, it teaches ways to deal with the symptoms of depression on a daily basis. Physical activity – regular physical activity can be associated with medication and therapy, as it also helps combat symptoms of depression.


For more information please contact Grupo HPA Saude on (+351) 282 420 400.