Depression:
Most people have felt sad or in a bad mood- but depression is an illness that affects daily functioning or lasts longer then a few weeks.It is a common illness that without treatment-can last for years. With professional treatment- symptoms can and do improve!
Symptoms of Depression: A range of symptoms that may be felt
- Inability to find pleasure in things you once enjoyed.
- Feelings of hopelessness and/or worthlessness.
- Exaggerated sense of guilt or self-blame.
- Loss of sexual desire.
- Dissatisfaction with life in general
- Withdrawal from others or activities.
- Neglect of responsibilities and appearance.
- Irritability
- Impaired memory, inability to concentrate, indecisiveness, and confusion.
- Reduced ability to cope with stressors
- Chronic fatigue and lack of energy.
- Loss of appetite or compulsive eating.
- Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping.
- Unexplained headaches, backaches, stomach aches, or nausea.
Causes:
Personality, environment or chemical imbalance. It can be the result of an unhappy event, stress or from a shortage of chemicals in the brain. These imbalances can be a result of illness, certain medications, an infection, improper diet or genetics. When is treatment needed?
- Your emotional pain or problems outweigh pleasures much of the time.
- Symptoms are affecting day to day functioning (your job, your social life, family relationships, or school).
- When symptoms persists for more then a few weeks.
- When stress is so bad that suicide feels like an option.
- Educate and empower you with knowledge and hope
- Help you recognize your own symptoms so as to avoid future episodes
- Help you learn and build on coping skills
- Teach you how to challenge depressive thinking and behavior
- Help you identify support systems
- Teach communication skills
- Help you identify and build on your strengths
For more information go to the National Institute of Mental Health at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
