Guide

Depression can be traced to a wide variety causes that have their origins in social, biological and psychological factors.

The 'Expectation-Achievement' Equation

The ability to be successful in life involves, amongst other things, the capacity to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Success comes with their own share of stress and disappointments. For example, children are expected to get nothing less then excellent grades in studies. As young adults, everyone is supposed to pursue a good job in a good company. This is followed by a happy married life and healthy progeny. Next, acquire better work-skills so as to be able to move up the corporate ladder. Next, strive to provide a good education for children. At each and every stage, people struggle to surmount huge odds and fight complex processes.

If some of these complex processes were to be arranged in an (over) simplified mathematical equation then, as per the formula propounded by William Jones way back in 1890:

Happiness = accomplishments
                      expectations

By this equation, if the accomplishments match the expectations then a person would be a 'happy person'. Such is not the case every time.

Our expectations are often much higher then our accomplishments. Such instances can result in some sadness. But when this sadness persists for a long time, then it is called depression.

'Children' Worries

In today's competitive world (over) ambitious parents expect their children to outperform all other children. All the time and in everything. Studies, drawing, painting, physical fitness, martial arts, computers, dramatics, elocution, music and dance to name a few.

The child's accomplishment can, and often does, fall far below such unrealistic parental expectations, putting the children under unnecessary stress. Further such 'non-performance' by children gets the parents to become over critical of their children which culminates into parents feeling sad. This can lead to depression due to 'children' worries.

Marriage Rejections / Disturbed Relationships / Divorce

'Marriage rejections' is a fall-out of the 'arranged marriage' system. It is on account of the fact that the Relatives/Friends/Well-wishers/ Professional match-makers are all in search of a 'good-family' rather then a 'good bride' / 'good groom'. But often for reasons beyond the control of the bride-to-be, she keeps on getting rejected in the 'matrimonial market'. Rejections may be on grounds of family background, social standing, economic conditions, cast, creed, religion, horoscope-matching etc. A series of rejections can give rise to a sense of incompleteness or inadequacy to a young girl of marriageable age leading to depression.

Divorce. As someone has said: "To meet, to know and then to part / is the sad story of many a human heart". Yes, divorce can be an emotionally painful experience. More so if there are children involved. It is a very common cause for depression.

Whether one likes it or not, whether one approves of it or not, sex is a bundle of powerful emotions and it is full of expectations. Therefore, also a subject of failure and disappointment. This failure or disappointment, either in absolute or relative terms, will be associated with depression.

Changes in an otherwise healthy and stable sexual relationship is the first sign of a depressive disorder. Once there is change in sexual behaviour, secondary depression will set in and this will further reduce sexual activity leading to a fall in sexual appetite and sexual energy. This leads to partial impotence in the case of men or a failure to reach an orgasm in the case of women. Finally there is complete impotence with loss of erection and impossibility of ejaculation on the part of the male and frigidity or rejection of sexual contact on the part of the woman.

Alcohol is considered to have properties that provide relief from the rigours of ordinary, daily routine and tension. It can turn care into happy oblivion. Both men and women have been consuming alcohol from time immemorial. "Alcohol helps to take the emotional brakes off", "Alcohol loosens the tongue and releases desire" but at the same time it limits other capacities hence the famous saying "Alcohol provokes desire but takes away the performance". Alcohol is a cerebral inhibitor and not a stimulator.

The situation is much worse when the two are combined. In instances of inability to perform as per self-expectation or match the partners' expectation, people turn to alcohol for courage. A typical example of the 'dog chasing its own tail' syndrome. more often then not, depression awaits at the end of this road.

After Childbirth and During Menopause

Many women feel sad shortly after their baby is born. In medical terminology this is referred to as Postpartum Depression. It usually begins within a few days / weeks after delivery.

In moderate cases, the young mother may feel tired, discouraged, irritable and forgetful. She may complain of lack of sleep, or may want to cry. In more severe cases she may exhibit restlessness, anxiety, guilt and a feeling of worthlessness. She may lose her appetite, have rapid changes in her moods, lose interest in the new-born and even contemplate suicide.

There are several causes that can trigger a Postpartum Depression. Sudden hormonal changes could be the primary cause. However, other physiological conditions like mental and emotional stress, a feeling of being letdown or uncared for, a strained relationship with the husband, economic conditions of the family etc may also be contributing factors.

However, depression during menopause is an entirely different situation. Menopause is exactly the opposite of the puberty years. While the changes at puberty prepare a girl for the reproductive years, menopause marks the end of fertility years. The realisation of having reached the end of fertility, in itself may be cause for depression. At menopause a women also undergo other physiological changes like hormonal changes. irregular periods, hot-flushes, sweats and palpitations, weight gain, loss of interest in sex, continual tiredness, guilt feeling etc could also bring about depression in women.

Loss of job / Money / Loved one

A loss of any kind can lead to sadness. The more the value attached to something, greater is the effect of its loss. Whether it is in the form of loss of job or suffering heavy financial losses. The constant worry of "how will I provide for ...?" routine household expenses, children's education, daughter's wedding, unpaid debts etc can be a cause of depression.

The death of a loved one almost always results in depression. Generally such depression is overcome with the passage of time. But sadness associated with such a loss returns periodically. Anniversaries, special occasions etc. In extreme case, such a loss of a loved one can lead to very severe depression.