Depression.
feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
Causes of Depression.
- genetic factors
- biological factors
- environmental factors
- psychological factors
Signs and Symptoms.
- persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings
- feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- feelings of hopelessness
- irritability or restlessness
- loss of interest in activities or hobbies
- fatigue and decreased energy
- difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
- insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- over-eating or appetite loss
- thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease, even with treatment
Who's at Risk?
- 6.7% of U.S adults each year
- women are 70% more likely to experience depression
- 32 year olds
- 13-18 year olds
Treatments.
Even the most severe cases can be treated.
Those treatments may include the following:
- visit a doctor
- doctor may refer mental health specialist
- medication/ anti-depressants
- physcotherapy
- electroconvulsive therapy
How to Help Someone with Depression.
- Offer emotional support
- talk to him or her, and listen carefully
- never dismiss feeling
- offer hope
- never ignore comments about suicide, report to their therapist
- provide assistance in getting to doctor's appointments
- remind with time and treatment, that the depression will lift
- remind that it will get better
How to Help Yourself.
- do not wait too long to get evaluated or treated
- try to be active and excercise
- set realistic goals for yourself
- try to spend time with other people, and confide in the trust of friends or relatives
- expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediatly
- remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts
- postpone important decisions such as getting married or divorced
- continue to educate yourself about depression