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See Also:
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Depression is not the
“blues” or a personal weakness. Depression (also called clinical
depression or major depressive disorder) is a biologically based illness
that affects behavior, thoughts and feelings. Research has
associated the symptoms of depression with a chemical imbalance.
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting nearly
everyone, either through personal experience or in a family member.
Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of
clinical depression.
Depression can affect anyone and there is evidence that the incidence of
depression is increasing and that younger generations (those born after
1945) are at higher risk. The incidence of depression is about
twice as high in women as in men, although the reasons for this are
unknown. The symptoms of depression are far more debilitating than
most people can imagine. In recent research it was found that with
the exception of cardiac disease, depression impaired physical and
social functioning to a greater extent than any other disease condition
studied, including asthma, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Transient feelings of unhappiness and brief periods of sadness are
common, especially when associated with disturbing life events, such as
financial problems or death of a loved one; however, a feeling of
sadness that lasts for weeks, months or even years is a sign of
depression.
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Symptoms |
- Persistent sad, anxious or
"empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness,
helplessness, pessimism, guilt or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in once
pleasurable activities (such as sex, or involvement with
children or other loved ones)
- Changes in sleep habits
(such as trouble getting to sleep, early morning waking,
oversleeping)
- Changes in eating habits
(such as loss or gain of appetite or weight)
- Decreased energy, fatigue,
feeling “slowed down” or tired al the time
- Restlessness, irritability
- Difficulty concentrating,
remembering, making decisions
- Thoughts of death or
suicide, suicide attempts
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Without treatment,
depression may last two to four years or longer. Depression can
come back after symptoms have disappeared for months, or even years.
Actually, depression for some individuals can be a chronic, recurrent
disorder that may require long-term treatment to prevent re-emergence of
depressive symptoms. It is very important to continue following
the doctor’s instructions, even after symptoms disappear. While
depression is among the most successfully treated mental disorders, it
is a serious illness. Fifteen percent of people with depression
commit suicide and about half of all suicides are committed by severely
depressed individuals.
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