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http://photos.friendster.com/photos/29/11/10751192/1_578140097l.jpg What is depression? It’s impossible to escape life’s ups and downs. Feeling unhappy or sad in response to disappointment, loss, frustration or a medical condition is normal. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but that is really situational depression, which is a normal reaction to events around us. Clinical depression, though, overwhelms and engulfs your day to day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. It is unrelenting, with little if any relief. Are you clinically depressed? If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from clinical depression. * you can’t sleep enough or you sleep too much * you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult * you feel worthless and hopeless * you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try * you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating * you are constantly irritated or become enraged even at small things – and this is new for you * you have thoughts that life is not worth living, or have a plan for how you would end it (Seek help immediately if this is the case) Signs and symptoms of depression There’s a vast difference between “feeling depressed” and suffering from clinical depression. The despondency of clinical depression is unrelenting and overwhelming. Some people describe it as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. They can't escape their unhappiness and despair. However, some people with depression don't feel sad at all. Instead, they feel lifeless and empty. In this apathetic state, they are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just going through the motions. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time. Depression Signs and Symptoms Clinical depression is distinguished from situational depression by length and severity Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness - A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation. Loss of interest in dailly activities - No interest in or ability to enjoy former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. Appetite or weight changes - Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. Sleep changes - Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia). Psychomotor agitation or retardation - Either feeling “keyed up” and restless or sluggish and physically slowed down. Loss of energy - Feeling fatigued and physically drained. Even small tasks are exhausting or take longer. Self-loathing - Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of perceived faults and mistakes. Concentration problems - Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things. Depression in men Depression is a loaded word in our culture. Many associate it, however wrongly, with a sign of weakness and excessive emotion. This is especially true with men. Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. How is depression expressed in men? Frequently, it comes out in more “socially acceptable” forms. Anger, aggression, reckless behavior and violence, along with substance abuse, can be signs of an underlying depression. You might hear complaints about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest or sudden excessive interest in work and hobbies. Even though depression rates for women are twice as high as those in men, men are a higher suicide risk, especially older men. Depression and suicide Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. The deep despair and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel like the only way to make the pain go away. Suicidal individuals often give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to know and watch for these warning signs and to get involved if you spot them. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a professional involved. Thoughts of Death or Suicide Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of severe depression, and must always be taken seriously. If someone you know is threatening suicide or talking of wanting to hurt him/herself, seek professional help right away. If you are feeling suicidal, know that there are many people who want to support you during this difficult time, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Reach out for help. The Many Faces of Depression Depression comes in many shapes and forms. In some, depression can persist at a low level for months and even years. In others, the symptoms are so strong that life grinds to a halt and suicide can be a real concern. Depression can be triggered or aggravated by personal and interpersonal events, hormonal changes (like after childbirth), and can even be triggered by lack of sunlight. Clinical (Major) Depression Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. Lack of interest in outside activities, strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts that life isn’t worth living, weight gain or loss, sleep troubles- all of these are signs of major depression. These feelings normally must persist for at least two weeks in order to be considered a major depressive episode. The symptoms can range from mild, when you can function in life with extra effort, to severe, where you can no longer complete daily activities. Dysthymia (recurrent, mild depression) If you have dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. In dysthymia, the depressive symptoms are not as strong as in a major depressive episode, but they last a long time, at least two years. More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have some temporary mood lifts. These chronic symptoms make it very difficult to enjoy life or to remember better times. Postpartum Depression Strong emotions after giving birth, “the baby blues”, are normal. New mothers are recovering from birth, are most likely sleep deprived, and are adjusting to the responsibilities of parenthood. Postpartum depression, however, is a longer lasting and more serious. What can be especially terrifying to mothers suffering from postpartum depression are feelings of wanting to avoid or even harm the baby. Postpartum depression doesn’t have to occur right after delivery. It can occur up to a year after childbirth. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Why do so many movies and books feature rainy days and stormy weather as gloomy? There may be a grain of truth to this portrayal. Some people experience depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern, normally in winter, when sunlight is limited and overcast days are frequent. This type of depression is more common in climates with more severe winter weather patterns and limited sunlight, like the northern climates. MANIC DEPRESSION - When Depression is Just One Side of the Coin Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is characterized by cycling mood extremes. Episodes of depression alternate with manic episodes, which can include extreme impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. Sometimes, though, it can switch in a matter of days or hours. When depressed, a person with bipolar disorder exhibits the usual symptoms of major depression. However, the treatment for bipolar disorder, especially using medications, is normally different. Depression causes and risk factors Some medical illnesses have a specific biological or chemical cause, making treatment, like a medication or surgery, more straightforward. Depression is more complicated. It is not just a result of a chemical imbalance, and is not simply cured with medication. What makes depression so difficult to treat is what seems like depression may actually be something else. If you are stuck in a dead end job and feel hopeless and helpless, for example, the best treatment might be finding another job which challenges you more. And if you are new to an area and feeling lonely and sad, the best treatment might be finding new friends at work or through a hobby. In those cases, the depression is situational and is remedied by changing the situation. Clinical depression is thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. There are certain risk factors that may make you more vulnerable. Learning what the risk factors are and making lifestyle changes might help reduce the risk of developing depression. * Genetics. If you have family members who have suffered from depression, you may have a greater risk of developing depression yourself, although there is currently no direct gene that has been found to cause depression. * Early childhood trauma or abuse. Emotional trauma and abuse has a powerful effect on the psyche. If you had traumatic early life experiences, you may be more at risk to develop depression during or after a stressful life event. * Loneliness and lack of social support. A key risk factor for depression is isolation and loneliness. Lack of support, whether it is family, friends or colleagues, makes coping with stress all the more difficult. Having marital and relationship problems can also make you feel alone and frustrated. * Recent stressful or traumatic life experiences. Some events, like losing a loved one, are clearly stressful and cause enormous disruption and strain in our lives. However, anything that causes change can be a stressful life experience, even if it is normally considered a happy event such as a big work promotion, a wedding or childbirth. * Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs can cause strong depression symptoms on their own. They can also make you more vulnerable to depression even if you decide to stop using them. Some people try to treat themselves with alcohol and drugs to self medicate, but this only worsens the problem. * Finances and employment. Financial strain can be an enormous stressor. Struggling to pay the bills or mortgage, or suddenly becoming unemployed, is a very stressful life event. Being unemployed can be a blow to self confidence and can be a very difficult adjustment, especially for men. * Health problems or chronic pain. Health problems and chronic pain may reduce your mobility, your ability to work or your spare time. They can chip away at supportive relationships and make you feel hopeless and frustrated. Medication Medication may relieve some of the symptoms of moderate and severe depression, but it doesn’t cure the underlying problem and it’s usually not a long-term solution. While advertisements for antidepressant drugs imply that chemical imbalances in the brain cause depression and that medication can correct this imbalance, the answer is not that simple. Depression involves much more than just “bad” brain chemistry. To successfully treat depression, it’s important to look at every aspect of your life and make any necessary changes. Antidepressant medications also come with side effects and safety concerns – and withdrawal can be very difficult. If you're considering whether antidepressant medication is right for you, learning all the facts can help you make an informed and personal decision about how best to treat your depression. Roads to depression recovery Just as depression has many faces, so does its recovery. What works for one person might not work for another, and no one treatment is appropriate in all cases. So if you recognize the symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one, take some time to explore the many treatment options. In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of self-help strategies, lifestyle changes, and professional help. Ask for help and support If even the thought of tackling your depression seems overwhelming, don’t panic. Feeling helpless and hopeless is a symptom of depression¾not the reality of your situation. It does not mean that you’re weak or you can’t change! The key to depression recovery is to start small and ask for help. Having a strong support system in place will speed your recovery. Isolation fuels depression, so reach out to others, even when you feel like being alone. Let your family and friends know what you’re going through and how they can support you. Make healthy lifestyle changes Lifestyle changes are not always easy to make, but they can have a big impact on depression. Take a good look at your own lifestyle. What changes could you make to support depression recovery? Self-help strategies that can be very effective include: * Cultivate supportive relationships * Get regular exercise and enough sleep * Eat a healthy, mood-boosting diet * Manage your stress and practice relaxation techniques * Challenge negative thought patterns Seek professional help If positive lifestyle changes and support from family and friends aren’t enough, seek help from a mental health professional to create a personalized treatment plan. Most plans include some form of therapy that gives you tools to treat depression from a variety of angles. What’s more, what you learn in therapy gives you skills and insight to help prevent depression from coming back. Some types of therapy teach you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and employ behavioral skills in combating depression. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way, what your triggers are for depression, and what you can do to stay healthy. If you are taking an antidepressant Do not change your dosage without consulting your physician! Video links: