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What is Depression?
Depression is a serious mental illness. It is persistent, debilitating, and interferes with your ability to function normally
and can, in many instances, be life-threatening.
When a down mood, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple weeks, the condition may be clinical depression.
It is a health problem that affects the total person. In addition to feelings, it can change behavior, physical health and
appearance, work production,
social activity and the ability to handle every-day decisions and pressures.
It has been linked to poor work and school performance, alcohol and drug abuse, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness.
Suicide can be a result of untreated depression.
Major depression often begins between ages 15 & 30 or even earlier. Episodes typically recur. An estimated 5.3 % of
American adults ages 18-54 suffer from major depression in a given year.
Depression can be devastating to all areas of a person's everyday life, including friendships, family relationships, and
the ability to work or attend school. Research has shown that stress in many forms may trigger major depression; including
repressed anger or guilt, abuse, whether physical, mental, emotional or sexual.
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DESCRIPTIONS OF FORMS OF DEPRESSION
Brain chemistry changes as a result of disappointments, fear, grief or trauma. At these times, the molecules that act
as messengers to your brain and nerves drop. These are called neurotransmitters. Since these brain chemicals contribute to
our feelings of well-being and happiness, depression may occur when these levels drop. Sometimes when these levels drop, it
is temporary and they then return to normal; and the feelings of happiness return. In depression, the levels remain low and
the altered brain chemistry persists, thus depression sets in.
It is fortunate that there are several drugs available that treat this condition. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors) such as Prozac and Zoloft are effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy alone is sometime successful. At
other times, a combination of drugs and
therapy is best.
FIVE MAJOR TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Situational Depression: results from an upsetting event, such as a death, divorce or a major loss. This type is considered
mild to moderate and usually lasts only a few weeks to a few months.
Dysthymia: a chronic mild form of depression where you feel
down or blue. It is diagnosed when symptoms persist for two or more years. It is often as debilitating as severe depression
because of its chronic, persistent nature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Mild to moderate
depression caused by a disturbance of our body's internal waking and sleeping clock. This depression occurs from
lack of the sun's full-spectrum light, usually in the short days of winter.
Major Depression: The most severe form, it causes extreme impairment and even death, in some cases. This form is biological
rather than caused by external events. It can be moderate to severe and may pass in months or last for years.
Bipolar Disorder (Manic-depression): People with this form alternate between the "Highs" of mania and the "Lows"
of depression. Either extreme may be severe.
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