Depression can affect the working ability, family and social life of a person. This is why we should never try to ignore or hide depression. It is important to be aware of the symptoms, the causes and what possibilities we have to try and prevent it in our lives.

Each of us has had a depressing sad moment at some point in our lives. Depression is a normal human reaction associated with bereavement, pressures of life or maybe the break up of a relationship. Sometimes the feeling of sadness passes but sometimes it doesn't, if it becomes more persistent it can lead to depression. Diseases of the nervous system are very serious and that is why it is important not to ignore depression and to get proper help when we realize there is a problem.

Listed below are some symptoms of depression:

* Feeling sad
* Loss of energy
* Loosing hope in life
* Not finding pleasure doing the things you used to love
* Can't concentrate
* Always crying
* Sleeping a lot
* Can't sleep
* Loss of appetite

What causes depression? This is a complicated question because there isn't a single cause for depression. This is a complex disease that can appear as a result of multiple causes. Depression can also be transmitted among people that are close to each other, by influence.

There is proof that people suffering from depression suffer brain changes. There is also evidence that illustrates how depression can also be genetic. Children can be affected by parents who suffer from. Also it seems that parents whose children suffer from chronic depression are more likely to be affected themselves by this illness.

To prevent depression we have to know ourselves very well. Treatable depression can be hard to prevent once we are already down in the dumps. The best method to avoid another crisis after a chronic depression is to keep our eyes open for its symptoms and its causes. If we feel we are loosing control then getting professional help would be the right direction to take.