We may call it the blues or the blahs or just feeling down. Whatever you call it, the clinical term is depression and there are several causes.
Dr. Denis Mee-Lee, a Castle Hospital Psychiatrist, says the cause could be narrowed down to inheritance.
"Some of us are more prone to depression just because it's been in the family. Sometimes it's familial. Sometimes it's the family style and traditions have been behaviors. Or it can be a disruption in our biological state."
That would be a situation where the neurotransmitters in the brain aren't performing up to par. Or there could be a chemical imbalance. Then there are outside factors that can cause depression.
"And there's external things. We all have experiences when things are not going well, we lose a job, trouble with our spouse, problems with finances or housing - things that we see pretty commonly around us these days," said Mee-Lee.
Now we know the problem. We're sad more than we're happy. What do we do to correct the situation?
"One of the first things is, talk to friends, talk to significant others about what I'm feeling - what are you noticing? Try to understand the condition more."
There may be times when you are uncomfortable talking to a friend or a family member about your feelings. That's where the professionals come in.
"And that's usually a psychiatrist or psychologist, although more and more our family doctors are very much aware of depression and it's treatment."
Dr. Mee-Lee also suggests contacting a support group. And he emphasizes that proper diet and exercise can be great antidotes for depression.
"Exercise in fact has been studied a lot as probably one of the best anti-depressant activities you can do."
