Depression

Depression is a treatable illness involving an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. You can’t make yourself well by trying to "snap out of it." Although it can run in families, you can’t catch it from someone else. The direct causes of the illness are unclear, however it is known that body chemistry can bring on a depressive disorder, due to experiencing a traumatic event, hormonal changes, altered health habits, the presence of another illness or substance abuse. 

symptoms of depression

·  Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells

·  Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns

·  Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety

·  Pessimism, indifference

·  Loss of energy, persistent lethargy

·  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness

·  Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness

·  Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal

·  Unexplained aches and pains

·  Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

 If you experience five or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks or if any of these symptoms interfere with work or family activities, consult with your doctor for a thorough evaluation. This should include a complete physical exam (some other illnesses can cause these symptoms) open and honest about how you are feeling and and a review of your family’s history.

You cannot diagnose yourself and you cannot be diagnosed by a friend or family member. Only a properly trained health professional can determine if you have depression

Research has identified two major types of depression
People who have major depressive disorder have had at least one major depressive episode – five or more symptoms for at least a two-week period. For some people, this disorder is recurrent, which means they may experience episodes every so often – once a month, once a year, or several times throughout their lives.

Dysthymia is a chronic, moderate type of depression. People with dysthymia usually suffer from poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or oversleeping, and low energy or fatigue. People with dysthymia are often unaware that they have an illness because their functioning is usually not greatly impaired. They go to work and mange their lives, but are frequently irritable and often complaining about stress.

People of all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes get depression. Although it can occur at any age, depression frequently develops between the ages of 25 and 44. If you have depression, you are not alone. Approximately 20 million adult Americans experience depression every day.

 

Depression in children
 

As many as one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents has depression. If your child has five or more symptoms for at least two weeks or if they interfere with his or her daily activities (e.g., going to school, playing with friends), then your child may be clinically depressed. Other warning signs of childhood depression include headaches, frequent absences from school, social isolation and reckless behavior. 

Poor parenting does not cause childhood depression. It may have many origins – genetics, biochemistry and a variety of other factors. Fortunately, treatment for childhood depression is highly effective. If you think your child may suffer from depression, ask your pediatrician to do a screening or for a referral to a health professional experienced in dealing with depression in children. Research is now indicating that early diagnosis and treatment might lessen future depressive episodes.

Depression in Late life
 

Depression is not a normal part of aging. Of the 32 million Americans over the age of 65, nearly five million experience serious symptoms of depression and one million suffer from depression. Elderly people with untreated depression are more likely to have worse outcomes from treatment of co-existing medical illnesses (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, heart disease). Untreated depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and the leading cause of suicide in the elderly.

 

Depression and Women
 

Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression. The lifetime prevalence of major depression is 24 percent for women; it’s 15 percent for men. One in four women will experience clinical depression in her lifetime. The hormonal and life changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage, the postpartum period and menopause may contribute to, or trigger, depression.

During the postpartum period, many women feel especially guilty about having depressive feelings at a time when they should be or are expected to be happy. In fact, one in ten mothers meets the criteria for depression in the postpartum period. It’s extremely important to talk about postpartum feelings, as untreated postpartum depression can affect the mother-child relationship and, in severe cases may put the infant’s or mother’s life at risk.

Depression and Men
 

Although men are less likely to suffer from depression than women, three to four million men in the United States are affected by the illness.

Men are less likely to admit to or seek help for depression, and doctors are less likely to suspect it. Depression in men is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially acceptable habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as being irritable, angry, and discouraged. Even if a man believes he may be depressed, he may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Support and encouragement from family and friends can make a difference.

Depression and Other Illnesses
 

Depression often co-exists with other mental or physical illnesses. Substance abuse, anxiety disorders and eating disorders are particularly common conditions that may be worsened by depression. A great deal of research is currently underway into the relationship between depression and physical illnesses. Several recent studies have noted that when co-existing depression is treated, prognoses are substantially improved for conditions such as heart disease, AIDS, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. It is important to tell your doctor about all of the symptoms you are experiencing and all other illnesses for which you are receiving treatment.  For more information,  

 

How does depression differ from bipolar disorder?
 

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a treatable medical illness where a person’s mood alternates between the "poles" of depression and mania, a heightened energetic state.