What is depression?

             

Sadness is not depression:

Sadness or grief is seen after the death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship. but eventually the person is able to overcome this grief and move on with his life.
"Time heals all wounds" is true for a normal person,but not for a depressed person because he is highly vulnerable to stress than a normal person..

Being sad is not the same as having depression. 

Depression can occur without any "loss" or a trigger
He feels sad even when everything is fine in his life.
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Characteristics of depression:
low self esteem,
Feels worthless
Unable to derive pleasure and enjoy
Indifferent 
Feeling of hopelessness and helplessness
All these features interfere with every aspect of a person's life and make him miserable.

Risk factors for depression

Biochemical :

There is a deficiency of some chemicals in brain which give rise to the symptoms. Anti depressants elevate the levels of these chemicals, and elevate the mood.

Genetics:
Depression runs in families. If one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance it sometime in life.

Personality:

These people have low self esteem.They are easily overwhelmed by stress,They are generally pessimistic and more likely to experience depression.

Environmental factors:

Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.

How Is Depression Treated?

Depression is a highly treatable illness.and hence you need not suffer needlessly. Between 80 and 90 percent of people feel better with the treatment. 

Self - help and coping

Regular exercise will improve the mood. 
Ensure a good quality sleep.
Eat a healthy diet
Avoid alcohol (a depressant).
Majority of alcoholics are suffering from underlying depression.and get habituated to drink. If depression is treated they will not feel like drinking and if they avoid alcohol it will help to improve the mood.

Depression is associated with low blood pressure 
Increase salt intake.
There is no medicine to elevate low blood pressure.

Depression is a real illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression will overcome it. 
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns and request a thorough evaluation.