Depression is a disorder that can seriously affect the body, mood, and thoughts
of a person experiencing this sometimes debilitating disease. It can permeate
every aspect of life, disturbing a person’s ability to eat, sleep, think,
and function. Depression is not the same as being a little sad or blue over
a specific event. The feelings associated with Depression are persistent and
chronic, and the person suffering with Depression cannot simply pull themselves
out of the way that they are feeling.
The symptoms associated with Depression include:
- Persistent sad or “empty” mood.
- A feeling of negativity, pessimism
or hopelessness.
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.
- Loss of interest or
pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed.
- Feelings of fatigue or being “slowed down.”
- Trouble concentrating,
staying focused or making decisions.
- Feelings of restlessness or irritability.
- Loss of appetite and weight or
increased appetite and weight gain
- Difficulty managing mood swings
- Avoidance of family members and friends
- Insomnia and/or oversleeping.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
There are different types
of depression. Major (Clinical) Depression is characterized
by a combination of the above symptoms that are severe enough to impair the
ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy life. Some people may experience
an episode of Major Depression only once, but many experience several over
the course of a lifetime.
Dysthymia is less severe than a Major Depressive episode. This form of Depression
involves long-term, chronic manifestations of the above symptoms in way that
does not completely disable the sufferer but still keeps them from functioning
well or enjoying life.
Bipolar Disorder involves a cycle of mood changes from excessive highs to
equally excessive lows. A person with Bipolar Disorder may experience a Manic
phase during which they feel “on top of the world,” followed by
a Major Depressive episode.
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Other common forms of depression include mood disorder, post-partum depression
and cyclothemia.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 9.5 percent of
the population experiences some form of Depression within any given year. If
you, your spouse, your children or a friend have experienced episodes of depression,
there is more than a 60% chance that it will recur within the next 3 years.
If left untreated, the disorder can become chronic and may increase in severity
with each episode. Depression can cause untold loss in productivity and
seriously affect the sufferer’s
life as well as the lives of those who love them. While there is help available,
many never seek it. Psychotherapy, prescription medications, and natural alternatives
are some of the options open for those looking for relief from Depression.
Author: Nan Little
Website: http://www.insightjournal.com/
Research shows that depression can be caused by multiple factors.
Learned behavior, stress, other medical illnesses, gender, a chemical
imbalance, heredity, and personality traits such as a perfectionistic
attitude are all potential factors explored here.
What are the steps to diagnosing a depressive illness? Find out what
your healthcare professional will need to learn in order to determine
whether you have occasional bouts of the blues or an actual depressive
disorder.
What type of person develops a depressive disorder? Learn more about
what researchers have discovered, including genetics, the
‘psychological connection’, other illnesses and stress.
The term "depression" is actually an umbrella term that encompasses
several different types of depressive illnesses. All of these
illnesses share certain characteristics, but they affect each person’s
life differently. Find out more about major depression, bipolar
depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and other types of
depression here.
We can all see the way sunlight affects the seasonal activities of
plants and animals. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be an effect
of this seasonal light variation in humans. Find out more about SAD
here.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder have
many treatment options available to them. Psychotherapy (including
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
(REBT), prescription medications, as well as Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (CAM) are just some of the treatments for
depression.
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