Depression
Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. The cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depression can interfere with normal functioning, and frequently causes problems with work, social and family adjustment. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the depressed person.
Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and also affects your social behavior and sense of physical well-being. We have all felt sad at one time or another, but that is not depression. Sometimes we feel tired from working hard, or discouraged when faced with serious problems. This too, is not depression. These feelings usually pass within a few days or weeks, once we adjust to the stress. But, if these feelings linger, intensify, and begin to interfere with work, school or family responsibilities, it may be depression.
Depression can affect anyone. Once identified, most people diagnosed with depression are successfully treated. Unfortunately, depression is not always diagnosed, because many of the symptoms mimic physical illness, such as sleep and appetite disturbances. Recognizing depression is the first step in treating it.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
For major depression, you may experience five or more of the following for at least a two-week period:
- Persistent sadness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex
- Difficulty concentrating and complaints of poor memory
- Worsening of co-existing chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Weight gain or loss
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Anxiety, agitation, irritability
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Slow speech; slow movements
- Headache, stomachache, and digestive problems
There are many mood disorders and depression is a feature of most of them. Bipolar disorder, cyclothymiacs disorder, post-partum depression, seasonal affective disorder is just a few. Depression afflicts people of every age, race and income level, but it is more common in adult women than the rest of the population.
Depression is not something you can just snap out of. Most people who are depressed need professional help to feel better. Make sure you get the help you need. Consult our Doctor Specialties section in the Depression Learning Center. Social connections are extremely important in the healing process. Depression can be short term or long term - sometimes it lasts weeks while in other cases it may last years.
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