Depression is a debilitating disorder that affects the overall quality of life of a person and that of his family as well. A person with major depression sees everything as bleak. He cannot sleep, eat and associate normally. Data have showed that 60% of those who committed suicide in the U S are depressive and 3 to 4% of those who have major depression kill themselves.

Signs that a person has major depression is his negative mood that controls his life. He has a feeling of remorse, which is usually unfounded. He also suffers helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness. He is also withdrawn, has poor memory and concentration. Since he has trouble sleeping, he may experience hallucinations and delusions leading to suicide attempts.

The causes of major depression are psychological, social and biological influences.

Psychological factor refers to the mental condition of a person like his outlook in life and how he copes with stress. He might have negative upbringing so that his views are distorted.

Social factors are those stressors and trauma that happened in his life like the death of a loved one, marital conflict or financial problems. A study also confirmed that children who were physically, emotionally and sexually abused or were neglected have the tendency have a depression later in life.

Biological factors are those that came with the person when he was born. Chemical imbalance in the brain causes depression because they alter brain activities. Genetics also plays a major issue. It is believed that the gene that causes mental ailment can be passed on to the child.

Some available treatments for the Major Depression is medication with the use of anti-depressants. This has however have side effects and can cure only the symptoms but not the ailment. Another treatment is psychotherapy. This is effective for those below 18 years old. It won’t work for people who won’t open up or not comfortable with talking about themselves.

There are also holistic treatments like yoga, acupuncture and acupressure and the use of herbs to brew natural medication to lift the mood of the depressed person. This procedure is 100% safe, effective and with lasting effects that can cure the major depression symptoms.

If one is sad, or cannot sleep, or cannot eat; some other depressed person is experiencing the opposite feelings in the continuum, which are ecstasy, oversleeping and over eating. What is common however among all the depressed persons are their low esteem, hopelessness and helplessness. They no longer feel pleasure from food, sex or other activities that usually give satisfaction and enjoyment. It seems as if someone within them is telling them to give up. When these symptoms occur, time is of the essence. He has to be taken for medical help before he progresses to be harmful to himself. And that is when the aspect of self-loathing set in. The person should now be monitored so that he can be safe from himself. Suicide prevention is done by taking into consideration his basic needs and characteristics so that he can be fully understood to know what course of action should be taken for him. When treated early, the regimen can be very effective.

The causes of depression can be traced to problems that befell the individual. It might be work related, financial or relationship problems, or loss of a loved one. Some normal people would go through depression for a while and they can get out of it if they can accept the situation and be realistic. The manic- depressive however, do not have the skills to understand and accept the new negative situation that he has encountered. The depressed person should therefore undergo treatment that would make him change his outlook in life and be positive and realistic to be able to react well to the negative situation.

Genetics also play a role in the situation of the manic-depressive. Families who are prone to mental illness pass on their genes to their children so that these children have weak mental inclinations.

In this modern society, studies and experiments have progressed in finding a cure for depression and mental illness. There are clinical treatments as well as naturopathic ways. What is important is the individual should be given attention as soon as the signs of depression are noted.