Useful Information about Depression
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. In fact, 15 to 20 people out of every 100 have a period of serious depression at some time in their lives. It occurs in every country, every culture, every racial group and at every income level. Depression causes people to have extremely low moods, when they feel very sad or "blue." It can also cause problems in appetite, sleeping and energy level. For some people, depression can seriously interfere with their work and social life It is important to know that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future: - There is effective treatment for depression.
- People with depression can learn to manage their own illness.
- People with depression can lead productive lives.
The more you understand about the illness and take an active role in your treatment, the better you will feel and the more you can accomplish toward your life goals. Depression is diagnosed based on a clinical interview conducted by a specially trained professional, usually a doctor, but sometimes a nurse, psychologist, social worker or other mental health worker. In the interview, there are questions about symptoms you have experienced and how you are functioning in different areas of your life, such as relationships and work. There is currently no blood test, X-ray or brain scan that can be used to diagnose depression. To make an accurate diagnosis, however, the doctor may also request a physical exam and certain lab tests or blood tests in order to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as a thyroid problem. It is important to keep in mind that the symptoms of depression can be found in other mental disorders. Specifying a diagnosis of depression is based on a combination of different symptoms, how long they have been present, and their severity. Symptoms that occur only when a person has used alcohol or drugs are not included. It is also important to recognize that there are different levels of severity of depression. This article focuses on the diagnosis of "major depressive disorder." This diagnosis includes having one or more episodes of at least two weeks in which there is an extremely depressed (sad) mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. To receive a diagnosis of major depression, there are several other additional symptoms that must be present at the same time, such as changes in appetite, sleep, energy, and concentration. No one has the exact same symptoms or is bothered to the same degree. If you have major depression, however, you may recognize having experienced some of the following symptoms: - Sad mood.
- Eating too little or too much.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Feeling tired and low energy.
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, worthless.
- Feeling guilty for things that aren't your fault.
- Suicidal thoughts or actions.
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions.
Depression is not your fault. Sometimes when people are depressed, they start to think that they caused it. This is not true. Scientists believe that the symptoms of depression are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Chemicals called "neurotransmitters" send messages in the brain. When these chemicals are out of balance, they can cause low moods. Research has found that the experience of a major stress or loss, such as losing a loved one, or being the victim of abuse or violence, can increase the chances of a person developing depression. Stress also appears to play a role in the course of depression. Many questions about depression remain unanswered. There are many research projects underway to try to learn more about the disorder. People can develop depression at any time in their lives. People vary in how often they have symptoms, the severity of the symptoms and how much the disorder interferes with their lives. Some people only have symptoms a few times in their lives. Other people have several episodes, some of which may require hospitalization. Depression tends to be episodic, with symptoms varying in intensity over time. When symptoms reappear or get worse, this is usually referred to as a "relapse," or "acute episode" or "symptoms exacerbation". Some relapses can be managed at home, but other relapses may require hospitalization to protect the person. With effective treatment, most people with depression can reduce their symptoms and live productive, meaningful lives. Examples of people who have depression Examples of famous people - who have lived productive, creative, meaningful lives with depression: - Winston Churchill - was the Prime Minister of England during World War II and led his country to victory.
- Mike Wallace - is an American television journalist, well known for conducting interviews on the show "60 Minutes."
Other people who have developed depression are not famous, but are quietly leading productive, creative, meaningful lives: - Mr. Y - is a college student who plays on the soccer team.
- Ms. Z - is married and the mother of a 2-year-old son. She works at home and cares for her child.
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