WEBVTT

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People with depression don’t just
experience brief periods of sadness,

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but phases of deep sadness that can last
from two weeks to several months.

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Often, they do not see a way out.

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In most cases
they cannot escape it on their own.

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They report having feelings

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that they can no longer control or manage.

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As a result they don’t just feel different

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but behave differently from the way
they did before the condition.

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They frequently blame themselves
for their condition

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and are tormented by self-doubt.

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The progression of the condition
differs from person to person

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depending on the circumstances
and their personality.

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The typical principal symptoms are:

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• depressed mood, sadness, despondency -

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everything appears meaningless
and nothing can change that,

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• lack of interest and apathy,

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or inner emptiness and lack of feeling,

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• lethargy and a tendency
to quickly become fatigued,

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and feeling completely exhausted
all the time.

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The severity
of the following secondary symptoms

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can often affect
the severity of the condition:

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• loss of appetite,

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• insomnia,

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• inability to concentrate
or make decisions,

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• low self-esteem,

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• feelings of guilt,

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• negative and pessimistic thoughts
about the future,

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experiencing nagging
worries, fears and anxieties

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• suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide

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People with depression often withdraw
from family members and friends.

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Or they lose interest in hobbies
and activities they used to enjoy.

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The precise cause of depression
is still unclear.

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It can begin at any age,

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at different stages of life
and life situations.

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It may be caused by something specific,

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or there may be no obvious cause.

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It’s likely to involve an interaction

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between biological processes,
psychological factors,

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personal situation
and specific events in a person’s life.

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Distressing experiences
such as bereavement or chronic stress

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are likely to be contributory factors.

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There are also certain risk factors

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that increase the likelihood of depression

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such as traumatic childhood experiences,
loneliness and a hereditary component.

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Changes in the metabolism of the brain
are known in depressed people

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and neural stimuli
are transmitted more slowly.

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Certain neurotransmitters
and hormonal changes

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can also play a role.

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There are a variety of treatments
available for depression.

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The most important are psychotherapy,

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such as cognitive behavioral therapy

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and/or treatment through the use
of medication (“antidepressants”)

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that affect the brain’s metabolism.

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Doctors will discuss the right therapy

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with the patient on a one-to-one basis.

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In short:

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Depression causes

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a long, severe decline
in emotional wellbeing.

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People often
feel completely overwhelmed by it

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and in most cases
they cannot escape it on their own.

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Typical symptoms include:

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sadness,

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inner emptiness,

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lack of interest,

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lethargy and exhaustion.

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These can eventually lead
to suicidal thoughts.

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Physical symptoms may also develop.

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But it varies considerably
from one person to another.

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There are various potential causes
of depression,

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but there are certain known risk factors.

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Psychotherapy and/or medication

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are tried and trusted methods
for treating depression.