Right now, 20 million Americans are in the midst of an episode of depression.

Some have the incapacitating symptoms of what doctors call a major depression. These symptoms usually require professional attention because they are very severe and demoralizing. Feeling hopeless and worthless, a person with major depression may sleep and eat irregularly.

In the throes of severe depression, it is hard to concentrate, make decisions, or find the energy to do much of anything. Thoughts of suicide are common.

Causes Of Depression

Depression is a very difficult condition to diagnose. In many people, there are no real physical signs, especially in people who have become very good at hiding their feelings. Depression isn't like somebody who falls and breaks his arm where the break is visible to an x-ray. Depression is not something you can see. Not even trained professionals can always correctly diagnose somebody who is clinically depressed. What makes this condition even more difficult to diagnose is the misconception of what causes depression. Outside of those physical abnormalities, depression is not causes by sadness but is caused by conflict.

A childhood of physical or sexual abuse and growing up in a violent family environment. A traumatic experience in adulthood can also trigger depression, such as being in an abusive relationship or a victim of a violent encounter, such a being robbed or raped.

The loss of a loved one, through death, separation or divorce.

A childhood or relationship that has made the individual believe that he or she is a failure and is not worth anything.

Trauma and stress. Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.

Depression: Symptoms

Feeling sad and upset a lot of the time.

Thinking about the bad things in life and what has went wrong with your life.

You feel like you’re always weighing other people down and holding them back from having a good time.

You have physical pain over different parts of your body that has no medical cause.

Depression Treatment

St. Johns Wort is the most used natural treatment of depression. Upon testing on subjects with depression, positive results were noted as early as 2 weeks after starting. In fact, it was shown to be just as effective as the leading prescription drug for depression. It had best results on mild to moderate depression, but was shown not to have any effect on severe cases of depression. St. John's Wort can be harmful if it is taken in combination with other medication, so the patient should make sure he informs himself well and tells his physician about any other physical ailments that he has. Though side effects are rare, some patients report dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, diahrrea and sensitivity to light.

Kava Kava is another plant that makes a person feel relaxed and content. It causes mental alertness that wears off in a few hours and gives way to drowsiness, so it best be taken a few hours before going to bed. It should not be taken by people with liver problems or a steady drinking habit, nor by people taking other medication. Excessive use can cause dizziness and liver problems.

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