Adult DepressionAlmost
everyone gets the blues from time to time - that feeling of sadness or grief
that usually results from unpleasant life experiences. While many people refer
to the blues as depression, however, true clinical depression is as different
from the blues as pneumonia is from a case of the sniffles!
The blues is a temporary and
usually normal reaction to stressful life situations. Most cases don't involve
physical symptoms, loss of self-esteem, or suicidal thoughts, and the negative
state usually passes within a few hours or days.
Depression on the other hand,
is an intense, pervasive and long-lasting disorder of mood that attacks the
body as well as the mind, often resulting in serious problems in work, social,
and physical functioning. Moreover, depression is more common among women than
among men, Biological, life cycle, hormonal and psychological factors unique to
women may be linked to women’s higher depression rate.
Researchers
have shown that hormones directly affect brain chemistry that controls emotions
and mood. For example, women, especially single women, are particularly
vulnerable to depression after giving birth when hormonal and physical changes,
along with the new responsibility of care for newborn can be overwhelming.
Many
new mothers experience a brief episode of the “baby blues” but some develop
postpartum depression, a more serious condition that requires active treatment
and emotional support for the new mother. Some studies suggest that women who
experienced postpartum depression often have had prior depressive episodes.
Symptoms
of depression often include disturbances with sleep, appetite and body weight,
energy, concentration, and sexual functioning. There is frequently excessive
guilt, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
and, in severe cases, thoughts of - or attempts at - suicide.
Unfortunately,
some people don't recognize depression for the serious illness it is. They
think of it as a personality flaw, a sign of weakness, a character defect, or,
perhaps, a temporary blue mood.
The fact is, clinical depression is an illness,
not a weakness or a passing blue mood. Depressed people cannot
simply "snap out of it" or just "pull themselves
together," any more
than a diabetic can merely snap out of a blood sugar imbalance. And, without
appropriate treatment, symptoms can last for months or even years.
Some depressions are the result of a chemical
imbalance and may only be treated by anti-depressant medication. Some require
psychotherapy, and still others a combination of methods.
The
good news is that more
than eighty percent of depression sufferers can
be treated successfully.
If
you, or someone you care about is depressed, seek help now by contacting your family doctor
or a qualified mental health specialist.
Will Barnes
www.yourconsultantsite.com