DEPRESSION
In any given 1-year
period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8
million American adults, suffer from a depressive
illness The economic cost for this disorder is high,
but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depressive
illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and
cause
pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder,
but also to those who care about them. Serious depression
can destroy family life as well as the life of the
ill person. But much of this suffering is unnecessary.
Most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment,
although the great majority—even those whose depression
is extremely severe—can be helped. Thanks to years
of fruitful research, there are now medications and psychosocial
therapies such as cognitive/behavioral, "talk" or
interpersonal that ease the pain of depression.
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the
body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats
and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way
one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the
same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal
weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull
themselves together" and get better. Without treatment,
symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate
treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from
depression.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Not
everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom.
Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity
of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies
over
time.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings 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, making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning
awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight
loss or overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death
or suicide; suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms
that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches,
digestive
disorders, and chronic pain
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Some types of depression run in families, suggesting
that a biological vulnerability
can be inherited. Apparently additional factors,
possibly stresses
at
home, work,
or
school, are involved
in its onset. People who have low self-esteem, who
consistently
view
themselves and
the world with pessimism or who are readily
overwhelmed by stress,
are prone to depression.
Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an
early form of
the illness is
not clear.
In recent years, researchers have shown
that physical changes
in the body can be accompanied
by mental
changes as well.
Medical illnesses such
as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's
disease, and hormonal disorders
can cause
depressive illness,
making the sick person apathetic and unwilling
to care for his or
her
physical
needs, thus prolonging the recovery period.
Also, a serious
loss, difficult
relationship, financial
problem, or any stressful (unwelcome or even
desired) change in
life patterns can trigger a depressive episode.
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