Everyone occasionally feels sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that more than 11.6 million Americans are suffering from depression. Major depression seems to run in families, but it can also develop in people who have no family history of depression. Either way major depressive disorder is often associated with changes in brain structures like hippocampus and a deficiency of serotonin receptors. People who have low self-esteem, who are consistently pessimistic, or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are also prone to depression. Research demonstrates that stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depression. The depression can contribute to the person's medical problem, as then can become apathetic and unwilling to care for their physical needs. A severe stressor such as a serious loss, difficult relationship, and financial problem can also trigger a depressive episode. Thus presently it is believed that a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is often involved in the onset of depression. Women experience depression up to twice as often as men. Hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women, as may unique stressors such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children, having a baby and caring for aging parents.

Are there ways to prevent depression?
Some forms of depression that are genetically mediated may not be preventable since current theory suggests that they may be triggered by chemical malfunctioning in the brain. However, there is good evidence that depression may often be alleviated or sometimes prevented with good health habits. Proper diet, exercise, vacations, not overworking, and saving time to do things you enjoys all help keep the blues at bay.
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