Depression

=Depression=

What exactly is depression?
Depression is a mental illness characterized by profound and persistent feelings of sadness or despair.

Depression is a **mood disorder**, which are disorders which involve periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or extreme fluctuations between the two. Some examples of mood disorders are depression, mania, and bipolar disorder.

Some Signs of Depression Are:
Lack of interest Signs of weight loss or weight gain Difficulty sleeping or a lack of energy Feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt Having difficulty making decisions Restlessness Recurring thoughts of death

Causes of Depression:
The causes of depression are not yet fully understood. Some believe it is due to a chemical in-balance in the brain. Others believe it is strictly a mental disorder. The average age of a person's first depressive episode is the mid-20's, though it can affect all age groups. Depression will affect 35-40 million people in their lifetimes. It is speculated that individuals abused or bullied in childhood may grow up with lower self-esteem and negative thinking may emerge. Heredity may also play a role in depression. Individuals with severe depression in their immediate family are almost three times more likely to develop the disorder themselves.

Public Perception of Depression:
A public misconception about depression is the belief that depression and sadness are the same. Depression is an illness and sadness is an emotion. Depression sometimes requires treatments, but few people seek medical help. It is however, important to seek help if you think you are depressed. Counselors, doctors, and even family and friends can be key in fighting depression. Doctors can give treatments such as electroshock therapy, anti-depressants, or prescribe diet changes. Counselors, family, and friends can also help by providing support and comfort.



Works Cited:
Ford-Martin, Paula Anne. "Depressive Disorders." //The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine//. Ed. Deirdre S. Blanchfield and Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2002. 1032-1036. //Mental Health Disorders//. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.

"Depressive Disorders". World of Health. Ed. Brigham Narins. Online. Detroit: Thompson Gale, 2007. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 March 2010.

[]

[]

[]