What is Depression: Is it simply just a Lack-of-Joy? -

(Newswire.net — Apr 9, 2013) Melbourne, Victoria —What is Depression: Websters dictionary describes it as gloom, sadness, dejection, moroseness or despondency.

The Mayo clinic describes Depression as a medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in almost any activity. Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply “snap out” of. Depression is a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment, like that of diabetes or high blood pressure.

Causes:

The National Institute of Mental health (NIMH) lists the following as causes: Genetic, Biologic, Environmental and Psychological.

Whereas the Mayoclinic says “It’s not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental illnesses, it appears a variety of factors may be involved.” Such as:

*Biological- Physical Changes in the Brain.
*Neurological- Brain chemical imbalances.
*Hormonal- Hormone changes such as Thyroid, Menopause & others
*Inheritance- Depression is much more common in people whose biological family members also have the condition.
*Life events- Major stress, Death, Loss. Even Financial loss.
*Early Childhood trauma: Abuse, Loss, injury may cause changes in the brain.

Top 10 Risk factors:

Although the precise cause of depression is unknown, MayoClinicresearchers have identified certain factors that the increase the risk of developing or triggering depression, including:

Having biological relatives with depression
Having traumatic experiences as a child
Being an adult female
Having friends who have been depressed
Experiencing stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
Having few friends or other relationships
Recently having given birth (postpartum depression)
Having been depressed previously by having certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimism
Having a serious illness, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s or even AIDS
Abusing alcohol, nicotine or illicit drugs

Glenns Naturopathic research explains the above 10 points respectively as follows:

Naturopathic research confirms over 80% of depression IS genetically based. Full-stop!.
Trauma or Major life events IS the prime driver to the onset of all heritable illness.
Females actually encounter Shock & Trauma FAR deeper than Males. Indeed we estimate up to 3 fold the level of males. Eg: Who can plumb the depths of shock & trauma a mother feels at the loss of her only child?
If friends suffer chronic depression then that too serves as yet another albeit mild ‘trauma’ thus another trigger to initiate onset of own genetic traits..
Suffering loss is YET ANOTHER trauma to withstand.
Isolation or loneliness does not allow the ‘buffering effects’ of good company to assuage general life experience. Further, alone, one loses perspective FAR EASIER thus a mild depression suffered this way which may then descend into Major depression far more easily
According to the still well accepted trauma table of Psychology, the Holmes & Rahe ‘Social readjustment rating scale‘ of 1967 both events of ‘Pregnancy’ & ‘Gain of a new family member ‘ rate in the top 15 or 43 ‘Life events index’ of Stress influence on well being. Once again yet another trauma/s to withstand for the susceptible adult. Esp. Our mothers for not only do they suffer the gain of a new family member, they are the ones who PHYSICALLY suffer the pregnancy too.
Self esteem, Dependency and of course Pessimism are indeed hallmarks of Depression itself
Diagnosis of serious illness is yet again ANOTHER trauma to withstand for those genetically disposed to a ‘lack-of-Joy’
Abuse of ANY drug sooner-or-later becomes yet ANOTHER trauma both emotional for the individual AND the cells too suffer the trauma of the introduced toxins. Indeed stress and trauma are VERY OFTEN prime drivers of re-offenders here too.

In summation then Glen suggests that in at least 7 of these 10 points above that trauma serves as the main driver to the onset of those Genetic or Heritable Depressive patterns.

For those interested to know more esp as this relates to the heart may we direct you to his website at http://www.healthandeternity.com

CEO of Health and Eternity

Glen Rees BSc. N.D.

16 Queen St

Warragul, Vic, Australia, 3820

Email: info@healthandeternity.com

Ph: 0468486445

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