Winston Churchill once described depression as a "black dog that comes around periodically, leaving a trail of gloom in its wake." He suffered from depression most of his life.
Depression is a disorder in areas of the brain that process thoughts and feelings. It is associated with a lack or imbalance of serotonin, a chemical found in the brain.
Depression is known as the common cold of mental illness. Understandable sadness due to death or separation is different than depression. Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is not a condition changed just because someone wishes it would go away. People with depression cannot "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" and get better. Without treatment, depression can last for weeks or in some cases, years.
There are different kinds of depression. One kind is called Major Depression. It is two times as common in adolescents and adult females as in adolescent and adult males. Depression can begin at any age, average age is the mid 20's. It is 1.5-3 times more common among first degree biological relatives than the general population.
The second kind of depression is called Dysthymic Disorder. It is described as chronically depressed mood that occurs for most of the day more days than not for at least two years. A person suffering from this will describe their mood as sad or down in the dumps. In children it can show up as irritability for a period of one year. At least 2 of the following symptoms will be evident:
- Depressed mood/feeling of sadness
- Loss of interest plus any 4 of the following
- Poor appetite or overeating - change in weight
- Restlessness or decreased activity
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Low energy or fatigue
- Low self esteem
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Guilt/worthlessness
- Suicidal ideations
- Low/lack of interest
In my next edition, I will be talking about Bi-Polar Disorders and other kinds of depression. Additionally, I will be talking about ways to handle depression from medication to herbal remedies.
Blessing,
Carol A. Deel
2006 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT, All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copywrite owner.
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