Common causes of Depression include: 

• Biological factors, such as changes in brain chemistry or hormonal imbalances
• Genetic factors, as depression can run in families
• Environmental factors, such as stress, trauma, or a significant loss
• Psychological factors, such as negative thinking patterns or past experiences of abuse or neglect
• Medical conditions, such as chronic illness or chronic pain

It is also worth noting that depression is often a result of a combination of multiple factors, rather than a single cause. 

Diagnosis: To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). These criteria include symptoms such as a persistent sad or empty mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide.

It is important to note that depression is a serious condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect that you may be experiencing depression, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional.

Treatments: 

• Antidepressant medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can improve mood.
• Psychotherapy: Talking with a mental health professional can help individuals with depression understand and work through their feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can be particularly effective for treating depression.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT is a medical treatment that can be used for severe cases of depression that have not responded to other treatments. It involves passing a small electric current through the brain to induce a seizure.
• Light therapy: light therapy can be helpful for individuals with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months.
• Lifestyle changes: exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can all help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Treatment for depression should be tailored to the individual, as different treatments may be more effective for different people. It is also important to have a mental health professional to guide you so that you can find the best treatment for you.

Effect Of Depression in the Classroom:

Depression has a major effect when it comes to teenagers, and that effect is very prevalent and can be obvious. "For example, other researchers have found that students who report having some type of emotional difficulty are three times as likely to be tardy or absent from school compared to those without these issues, and another showed that 83 percent of students with emotional and behavioral disorders scored below the average student in reading, writing, and math." If a student shows signs or tells you they're struggling, you NEED to help them or get them to someone who can help.

10 Things Depression Makes Us Do

Resources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/causes/

https://policylab.chop.edu/project/addressing-depression-schools#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20other%20researchers%20have,disorders%20scored%20below%20the%20average

What are some potential causes of depression?

1. Genetics
2. Biological factors
3. Environmental factors
4. all of the above

True or False: Antidepressant medication is the only effective treatment for depression.

1. True
2. False