Are You or Someone You Know Depressed?

Depression- Psychiatry; a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason (definition from Dictionary.com)

Depression is a mood disorder where feelings of sadness, depression, anger, frustration or loss interfere with daily life and activities. This may last for one week, or many years depending of the root of the depression. It is not only a condition that effects your own personal well being, emotional, and mental states. People who have depression usually see everything with a negative view, not able to imagine that any problem, circumstance, or situation can be solved positivly. Depression often results in the person lashing out at the person or people closest to them. It can change the way people see themselves and their lives, as well as many other people around them.

THE CAUSE OF DEPRESSION
No one knows the exact cause of depression. Many believe it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which may have been passed down from one generation to another, or caused by an event, or multiple events in the person's life. Depression is found in all different ages, races, and walks of life and can be triggered by many things. A few of these are drug or alcohol abuse, a change in personal health or finance, or a life change such as a death or divorce.

DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS
Depression has symptoms just like a physical health problem does. Some of the common symptoms of depression are:

• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Change in Weight or Appetite
• Difficulty Focusting
• Lack of Energy
• Sleeping too little, or too much
• Inactivity or withfrawl from activities once enjoyed
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• Thoughts of death or suicide**
• Self Hate, Worthlessness, Innapproprite Guilt

If you have five or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks, see a doctor-YOU ARE DEPRESSED

The list can go on and on of the physical and mental effects depression has on a persons life. Depression can also be shown as discoragement or anger towards yourself or others. Usually, if depression is shown by anger, the closest people to the depressed are effected just as much as the acutal person.

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There are many ways to treat depression, from support groups, to anti-depressants, to a psycologist, to electroconvulsive therapy, so there is come kind of help for everyone!

         **If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 911, or 1-800-SUICIDE
IMMEDIATLY for assistance.