Recognizing and Treating the Symptoms of Depression
Nearly 20 million American adults fall ill from depression each
year--that's almost one-tenth of the entire adult population.
This devastating condition is not to be ignored: it influences
nearly every part of a person's life, from sleeping patterns to
appetite to mindset to activities. And unlike a bad mood, which
passes almost as quickly as it comes, depression is long-lasting
condition that can persist over months or years.Sufferers from
depression feel persistently sad, empty, hopeless, and restless.
They are prone to irritability and get irked even by small
problems. They may no longer enjoy activities they once loved,
and they may oversleep in the morning or have trouble getting to
bed at night. But the disease is not just mental. It can
manifest itself in physical forms, too: chronic pain, digestive
ailments, and even self-inflicted wounds. Also, doctors can
actually see chemical and structural changes in the brains of
people with major depression.
Depression can strike anyone, at any time. It may afflict the
elderly, children, men or women, without regard to race, age,
gender or background. However, there is some evidence to suggest
that the condition may be genetic, especially with severe
disorders such as manic-depressive disorder. But it is critical
to note that genetic disposition does not automatically cause
the disease. Often, external factors (such as stress,
life-altering events, trauma, and so on) can trigger a latent
potential condition.
It's important to recognize that depression doesn't just come in
one form, and doesn't have just one set of symptoms. Like any
other category of diseases, like cancer or heart problems,
depression is a heading that covers many individual conditions.
You may have heard of some of the more well-known types. Bipolar
disorder, or manic-depression, is a relatively rare but
dangerous condition in which a patient has dramatic mood swings
between "mania" and a severe depressed state. Major depression
is a long-term condition that is characterized by such symptoms
as inability to concentrate, not wanting to take part in
pleasurable activities, feeling tired or unenergetic, and being
unable to complete work or make decisions. A less severe but
more prolonged form of the disease, dysthymia, involves
lower-grade but chronic symptoms that interfere with quality of
life while not completely disabling the sufferer.Depression can
have devastating consequences, both for the sufferer and his or
her friends and family, but fortunately it is a treatable
condition. Of the 20 million adults who suffer from depression,
some cases are severe and require intensive treatment and
intervention, but most can be more readily treated and the
harmful effects of the disease alleviated. Many people with
depression are hesitant to seek out professional help, but it is
important to know that your symptoms are treatable. Doctors and
psychologists have a great deal of experience using medication
and therapy in combination to produce very effective results and
greatly improve the quality of life for people with depressive
disorder. Learn more about depression and how to get help in
Depression: Part 2