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Depression 

• The exact cause is unknown.
• Some people are more likely to have depression than others. It may be inherited.
• It can be triggered by life events   or a combination of life events and inherited.
• Women are more likely to have depression than men. It is common after childbirth and at the time of menopause.

Depression and Physical Issues 

A number of physical issues can cause low mood and may be mistaken for depression. These include:

• Underactive thyroid. Low levels can make you feel low, weepy and tired.
• Underactive pituitary gland. Low levels affect sex drive and fertility. It can cause weight gain and low mood.
• A head injury, even if it happened many years ago.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica. An inflammation that causes joint pain and stiffness, as well as depression.
• Early dementia may seem like depression to others.

It is important to rule out physical issues. Treatment may be needed.

Bipolar Disorder (serious).  For some people, their mood can change from depression to periods of happiness and overactivity (mania). This is called bipolar disorder (or manic depression). Treatment may include mood stabilizing medicines such as lithium. Periods of depression and elation can last for weeks or months. This is different from normal mood swings which last for minutes or hours. 

Postpartum Depression (serious).  About 1 in 10 mothers experience post-partum depression. Seek help from your doctor if you feel depressed after childbirth. There are three main causes of low mood after you have had a baby:

• Baby Blues: feeling tired and emotional in the first weeks after childbirth
• Post-partum Depression: often within the first 4 weeks of childbirth, but can start months or even up to a year later. Symptoms last longer than baby blues.
• Post-partum Psychosis: a rare but serious mental illness that puts the mother and baby at risk. The mother may have low mood and also loss of touch with reality. She may have strange ideas, such as harming herself or her baby. Seek help right away if these symptoms occur.

Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Some people feel depressed, but only in the winter months. The cause is unknown but may be due to lack of sunlight. These people find it hard to wake up. The symptoms get worse as the hours of daylight get shorter. Severe symptoms of depression and not wanting to see family and friends may occur between November and January. Treatment is to get more natural sunlight and/or light therapy from a lightbox with a bright light. Also, the usual therapies for depression may help.