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What is depression. Depression is feeling sad, blue, helpless, guilt, empty, worthless, frustrated, lost, angry and miserable. We all know how it feels to be unhappy every once in a while. The difference with depression is that these feelings are there more often, for prolonged periods of time and starts to interfere with every day life. But what depression is, is still being researched all over the world.
Depression, and what it really is, has been subject of study all over the world. And still is. Although this study will probably never be finished, scientists all over the world seem to agree on a growing number of conclusions.
What depression is can be categorized into major depression, dysthymia, and atypical depression. But that ain't all there is. There is also seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression. If any of these come with noticeable mood cycles, experts talk of mania.
Depression may set in for a variety of reasons. Chronic stress plays a big role. Chronic stress can be caused by the death of a friend or a relative. But it can also occur because of a major disappointment at school or at work, debts or a major illness. Alcohol and drug abuse are known to be able to kick start depression.
Not even the best expert in the world is able to predict if you run a high or low depression risk. It's a fact though that depression is more common to women than to men. You have a higher risk if depression runs in the family. But even learned behavior can cause depression.
If you are looking for signs of depression, a depressed person feels worthless and have self-hate. He or she finds it hard to concentrate. Inactivity as well as withdrawal from every day activity and even fun things like hobbies are common. Feeling agitated, hunted, restless and irritable are reasons to be alert. And although they seem to be masters in hiding it, depressed people have almost constant thoughts regarding suicide or death.
When it comes to teens or children, the question "What is depression" is sometimes harder to answer. The symptoms may be different. You should watch the child not so much for changes in their personality but for more obvious changes. Their sleep pattern for example. Or the child’s performance at school.
Facts on Depression #1
The most common signs of depression are feeling sad, blue, helpless, guilt, empty, worthless, frustrated, lost, angry and miserable - often in combination, for prolonged periods of time and interfering with every day life. |
Facts on Depression #2
Almost 20 million people in the US suffer from depression. That's one out of every 15. About 70% of all patients are women. The costs of depression are close to $20 billion each year. Just one out of every three depression patients seek proper treatment. |
Facts on Depression #3
To make an accurate diagnoses of depression, health care professionals often use a depression scale. There are several depression scales available. Most of them can only be used by or with the help of trained professionals, but some are designed to be used and even analyzed by the patient itself. |
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