about depression

When suspecting depression or diagnosed with depression, many sufferers will questions themselves. Why me? Am I emotionally weak? These concerns are perfectly normal and shared by most people suffering from this illness.

What is Depression?
Depression has many different symptoms - some are easy to recognize and then there are others that are more difficult. The first sign of depression is often a change in the person's usual behavior. Common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, self reproach
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Decreased energy, fatigue and feeling run down
• Increased use of alcohol and drugs
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability, hostility
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respondto treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Some people may have only a few symptoms, but still be very depressed. It is important to note that depression is experienced differently by different people (e.g. children might display unusual behavioural problems). In some people depression is characterized not so much by a sad mood, as by increased irritability, unexplained pain, or other symptoms.

There is a range of different kinds of depression. Some people have only some symptoms of depression, but nevertheless these last chronically and cause distress or interfere with functioning - a condition known as dysthymia. Periods of depression and periods of feeling high may alternate - a condition called cyclothymia. A more severe version of these symptoms is a condition called manic-depression or bipolar disorder. Depression may occur only during specific seasons of the year - a condition know as seasonal affective disorder. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, fears of not being able to cope, after childbirth - a condition known as post-partum depression.

Who gets Depression?
Although it is natural to feel sad or down at times, depression is something more. Depression is a medical disorder that may result in significant distress, and affects people of both sexes, all ages and races, cultures and social classes. A number of different factors may contribute to the onset of depression. Vulnerability to depression is likely to be at least partially genetically inherited. Psychological make-up and environmental factors, such as increased stress or personal losses, may play an important role. While a number of factors may contribute to the onset of a depression, the symptoms of this illness are mediated by changing chemical levels, such as serotonin and/or noradrenaline, in the brain. Like other illnesses such as diabetes, which is caused by an imbalance of insulin - depression can be treated.