Depression and heart disease

Page: 1 2 3 (of 3)	Previous | Next

Who Is at Risk?

By Caralee Adams

Depression strikes women twice as much as men.

Although it affects people of all ages, on average, it first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. People over 65 are also especially vulnerable.

Depression often runs in families, through learned behavior and/or genetics.

Traumatic events (e.g. the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss) and environmental factors (e.g. long-term exposure to violence, abuse, and poverty) can contribute to depression.

What Are the Symptoms and Causes?
While research is ongoing to understand the causes of depression, the disease is thought to be linked with abnormalities in the brain’s chemistry—notably, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Common symptoms include:

• A deep feeling of sadness and emptiness
• Sleep problems—insomnia or oversleeping
• Change in appetite, leading to weight gain or loss
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Crying easily or for no reason
• Low self-esteem
• Poor concentration, difficulty making decisions
• Restlessness and irritability
• Withdrawn from activities, lack of pleasure in activities
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts