Depression
By Ana S.
What is Depression?
Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer.
Signs and Symptoms
- Negative feelings and mood
- Negative thinking
- Low energy and motivation
- Concentration becomes hard
- Upset stomach/loss of appetite
- Lose/gain weight
- Social withdrawing
Affects on People
- Loss of contact with friends
- Less sociable
- No motivation
- Difficulty sleeping
Other Names or Forms?
There are no other names or forms of depression.
Diagnosis
Depression is diagnosed by a psychiatric evaluation where the psychiatrist asks the victim questions about his/herself. A physical exam is also a way to diagnose a patient with depression by looking for evidence of self-harm.
Treatment
Depression is treated with medical checkups so that the doctor can see the patients improvement. The patient can also express his/her feelings by talking to a counselor.
Fact About Depression
Depression is twice as likely to occur in women than in men.