Depression: Signs and Symptoms

Depression Characteristic

Feelings of despair and hopelessness

Self hatred

Thoughts of suicide very often leading to suicide attempts

Inability to experience pleasure

Feelings of, or actual isolation

Disturbed sleep, insomnia

Inability to concentrate

Fatigue or loss of energy

Serotonin is a molecule which certain brain cells use to communicate with each other . Depression is always associated with a drop in the level of serotonin in the patients brain. Drugs which are used to alleviate depression work (mainly) by raising the level of serotonin in the brain.

There has been a great deal of research about depression recently. Because the disease is so very prevalent, drugs such as Prozac are making the drug companies a lot of money, and of course have been getting a lot of publicity. In short depression is trendy in the medical profession. Not that I'm complaining since it has eventually led to me getting more effective treatment. My experience suggests however that the disease is still not well understood even amongst the medical profession.

Depression is like a low point in life that doesn't go away. It can keep you awake, make you physically sick, give you hot flashes, chills or make you sweat in your sleep. It can make you doubt the very essence of all those things that you once loved.

It is like a dark day that doesn't clear.

Depression is more than the blues or the blahs; it is more than the usual, everydays up and downs. When that "down" mood, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, the condition may be clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious health problem that affects the total person. In addition to feelings, it can change behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures.

Depression is likely caused by biological and anatomical factors that may increase a person's likelihood of developing a depressive disorder. Depression can run in families. But life experiences and certain personality patterns such as difficulty handling stress, low self-esteem, or extreme pessimism about the future can increase the chances of becoming depressed.

Is it serious?

Yes, depression can be very serious! Some of us experience only one depressive episode in our lives, while others experience several recurrences. Some depressive episodes begin with no apparent reason, while others are associated with a life situation or stress.

Sometimes people who are depressed cannot perform even the simplest daily activities like getting out of bed or getting dressed; others go through the motions, but it is clear they are not acting or thinking as usual. Some people suffer from bipolar depression in which their moods cycle between two extremes - from the depths of despair to frenzied heights of activity or grandiose ideas about their own competence.

Depression can be treated! Between 80 and 90 percent of people with depression - even the most serious forms - can be helped. Symptoms can be relieved quickly with psychological therapies, medications, or often a combination of both. The most important step towards treating depression - and sometimes the most difficult - is asking for help!

Teens and adults share a problem - they often fail to recognize the symptoms of depression in themselves or in people they care about.

Signs of depression

Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy.

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. (In children or adolescents, can be irritable mood.)

Thoughts of death or suicide.

Feeling worthless or guilty.

Trouble sleeping (falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early) or sleeping too much.

Unexplained decrease or increase in appetite. (Gained or lost 5 percent of your body weight during the last month.)

Trouble thinking, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.

Feeling tired a lot of the time; having less energy (may be interfering with your ability to work or take care of your daily responsibilities).

Feeling restless, unable to sit still, or abnormally slowed down in movement or action.

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