Depression

(The following information is excerpted from The National Institute of Health and has been broadly edited. The following is not intended to diagnose or to treat. Additionally, this information is not intended for the use of assessing for suicide).

A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, moods, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things in general. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing “blue mood”. It is not a sign of weakness or a condition that can be “wished” away. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment can help most people who suffer from depression.

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as in the case with other illness such as heart disease. The following information briefly describes three of the most common types of depressive disorders and within these types; there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.

Major Depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (refer to symptoms list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, and sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Another type of depression is bipolar depression, also referred to as manic-depressive illness. Bipolar depression is characterized by cycling mood changes; severe highs (mania|) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressive cycle, an individual can experience all the symptoms of the depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, over talkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, a person in the mania phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, if left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Depression can affect men, women, and children. Hormonal changes in women such as the menstrual cycle, birth of a baby, and menopause can precipitate depression. Additional home and work repsonsibilities can also contribute to depression. Men’s depression is usually masked by the use of alcohol or drugs as well by working excessively long hours. Men may feel more irritable and angry as well as discouraged. A depresse d child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die. They may get in trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and fell misunderstood.

Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom listed below. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of the symptoms varies with individuals and also varies overtime. If you find that you have any one of the listed symptoms for the last 2 weeks or longer, you may want to consider having a depression screening administered.

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Feeling of hopelessness, pessimism

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex

• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed” down

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Insomnia, early morning awakening, or over-sleeping

• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts (See you Doctor or contact a Counselor immediately)

• Restlessness,irritability

• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic painMania

• Unusual irritability

• Abnormal or excessive elation

• Decreased need for sleep

• Grandiose notions

• Increased talking; racing thoughts

• Increased sexual desire

• Poor judgment; inappropriate social behavior