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Depression is a medical disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, pessimism, and a general loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being.It (depression) is not a fleeting sadness but a pervasive and relentless sense of despair.

Depression is caused by a combination of genetic (inherited), psychological and environmental factors.The psychological makeup of a person, such as low self-esteem, pessimism and stress, can also cause depression. Environmental or other associated health factors, such as a serious loss, chronic illness, pregnancy, childbirth, difficult relationships, financial problems, unwelcome changes in life patterns, alcohol, drug abuse and medications can also trigger a depressive episode.

Depression doesn't seem to have a single underlying cause, although experts believe the illness is caused by an imbalance in the brain's production of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that send signals from one nerve cell to another. A depressive episode can be triggered by the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a divorce, a life-threatening illness, or another serious difficulty. Stress, reaction to medication (such as beta-blockers), shortage of daylight in winter, over consumption of alcohol, smoking, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies may also contribute to depression. Dysfunctional ways of coping with anger, guilt, and other emotions may be involved as well. The symptoms of depression are Fatigue, Aches and pains, Confusion, Anxiety, and Such other feelings.

Diagnosis of depression involves a psychological/physical history and evaluation. Furthermore, a mental status examination will be done to determine if speech, thought patterns or memory have been affected. The physical examination will either diagnosis and/or rule out any medical conditions (such as thyroid disease, cancers or neurologic diseases) that could be causing the depression.