Types of depression.
There are three types of depression:
• Mild depression is the most common and can be brought on by both
happy and
sad events. A wedding is certainly happy, but also very stressful,
and the stress can be
depressing. Another common cause is childbirth, which may lead to
post-partum blues.
While usually mild, it can become severe.
• Moderate depression, or a feeling of hopelessness, lasts longer
and is more intense.
Moderate depression is often brought on by a sad event, such as a
death of a loved one
or loss of a job. It usually does not interfere with daily living,
but can become severe. If
it persists, professional help may be warranted.
• Severe depression can cause a person to lose interest in the
outside world, can cause
physical changes, and can lead to suicide. A person with severe
depression requires
professional treatment.
Who is affected.
One in five people suffers from depression at some point in their
life. Depression can strike anyone,
even children and babies who have been abused or neglected.
Middle-aged adults, however, are more likely to become depressed
than any other age group.
While depression is often associated with loneliness, married
people are more likely to become
depressed than single people. Women are twice as likely as men to
become depressed.
Symptoms.
The symptoms of depression range from feeling “down” to feeling
suicidal. A slowing down or
neglect in performing daily tasks, irritability, poor memory, or
changes in behavior are all symptoms.
A loss of sexual desire or loss of warm feelings toward family
members, a lack of pleasure
in anything, or a loss of self-esteem can be symptoms. Physical
changes can include sleep disturbances,
fatigue, unexplained headaches or backaches, digestive problems,
and nausea.
All of us at some time experience one or more of these symptoms.
But when they become persistent
and so severe that pain and other problems outweigh pleasure much
of the time, then it is
time to seek professional help.
Causes.
There is no one cause for depression. Personality, personal
relationships, physical health, and
genetics are all factors. People who are highly self-critical,
very demanding, or unusually passive
may be prone to depression. Problems with a spouse, a child, or an
employer can cause depression.
Imbalances in the chemicals in the brain due to illness,
infection, or medications can be a
cause. Substance abuse can be a symptom of depression, but also a
cause. And while depression
cannot be inherited, it does seem to be more prevalent in some
families..
Treatment.
As with most illnesses, treatment is easiest and most effective
when begun early. A combination
of the following is often used:
• Medication is often used in cases of severe depression
and can bring relief in
three to four weeks.
• Psychotherapy in the forms of counseling, group sessions,
and psychoanalysis are
valuable tools in treating depression.
• Electroconvulsive therapy, or “shock therapy,” involves
administering mild electrical
shocks to the brain while a patient is under anesthesia.
Prevention.
Depression cannot always be avoided, but because it is often
related to stress and physical problems,
it is possible to lessen the chances of becoming severely
depressed. Here are some tips:
• Take time for a favorite activity as a way to relax and relieve
stress.
• Get plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy body, to relieve
tension, and to help get a
good night’s sleep.
• Don’t try to be Superman or Superwoman. Know your limitations
and avoid stressful
situations.
• Cultivate friendships to have someone to talk to who can provide
support.
• Don’t be afraid of feelings. There’s nothing wrong with being
mildly depressed. But if
you feel it is more than mild depression, don’t hesitate to see a
physician.
What else to do?
People with depression or any mental illness also face the stigma
attached by society to these
illnesses. This stigma causes discrimination against people with a
mental illness in employment,
housing, health care, and the ability to buy health insurance. By
learning more about mental
illness and the effectiveness of treatment, this discrimination can
end, removing the stigma that
acts as a barrier to successful treatment.
Suicide.
Severe depression sometimes leads to a suicide attempt. Suicide
threats or attempts must be
taken seriously even if there is no intent to actually die.
Warning signs include making out a will,
giving away personal possessions, saying goodbye or suicide
preparations, such as buying a gun
or stockpiling pills. If you become concerned that a depressed
person may be thinking of suicide,
ASK THEM IMMEDIATELY.
Everyone suffers from depression
from time to time. It's a natural defense mechanism that allows the mind
to take a rest by causing an
individual to withdraw from reality for a day or two. But for some people, the
withdrawal is deeper and lasts
longer. It interferes with their lives and can lead them to substance abuse
or suicide as a means of escape.
When this happens, a person is said to have a mental illness called severe
depression.
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