How to Tell if You are Depressed or Simply 'Down'

Are you Depressed?

Everyone feels "blue" at times. Life is full of highs and lows. But people with depression feel sad all of the time. Depression is a real medical illness. Left untreated, it can lead to other mental illnesses or even suicide. Real clinical depression is not something you can just shake off. You can't talk yourself into feeling better. It can interfere with your daily activities and can hurt the ones close to you. The first step in getting better is to recognize the symptoms and admit that you might have depression. Some people may have only a few of the following symptoms while some may have many.

Persistent sad mood or feeling empty.
Feelings of hopelessness.
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
Loss of interest in favorite hobbies or things you once enjoyed
Loss of interest in sex.
Decreased energy.
Sleep disturbances, either sleeping too much or too little.
Inability to concentrate.
Overeating or not being able to eat.
Restlessness or irritability.
Thoughts of suicide.

Depression may also cause a wide variety of physical symptoms. People with depression often experience digestive disorders such as constipation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Depressed people may also get frequent headaches and experience back pain. Anxiety attacks may also coincide with depression.

Women experience depression twice as often as men. Hormones can play a huge role in depression. Menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, post-partum period, miscarriage and menopause all can be contributing factors to depression. Women have additional responsibilities at work and at home and are usually the care giver for the children and sometimes aging parents. These stressors can lead to depression.

Men that are depressed often try to mask it with alcohol or drugs. They rarely admit to being depressed. Often times they will work excessively long hours to hide it. The rate of suicide in depressed men is four times that of women. Men often become angry, irritable and discouraged. They are less likely to seek help and are often harder to diagnose.

There are three major types of depression:


Major Depression.
This is a disabling depression that has a combination of the symptoms listed above. It interferes with one's ability to eat, sleep, work or enjoy pleasurable activities.

Dysthymia.
This is a less severe type of depression. It is not disabling, but generally keeps one from functioning well or feeling good. People with dysthymia will probably have a least one major depressive episode in their lives.

Bi-Polar Disorder.
It is sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder. It is characterized by severe high and severe lows. The cycles may happen rapidly or come on gradually. Left untreated it can worsen to a psychotic state.

If you experience any of the above symptoms and they last for longer than a couple of weeks you should seek medical treatment. There is no shame in admitting that you may have depression. It doesn't mean you are crazy or weak. People of all ages, race and gender can suffer from depression. With the right interventions, you can enjoy your life once again.

The causes of depression

The causes of depression


Depression is a medical illness with real causes. It can disable a person so much that they are unable to leave their home or sometimes even their bed. It is not a sign of being "crazy." It is not "all in your head." There are many real causes of depression. It can happen to anyone of any age and any race.Depression doesn't play favorites. The best thing you can do is to recognize it and seek treatment.

There is no one single cause of depression. It is basically a chemical imbalance in your brain. The neurotransmitters in your brain are the chemical messengers that enable nerve cells to communicate. If the nerve cells don't produce enough chemicals, the neurotransmitters have nothing to communicate. This means that certain areas of the brain may not be stimulated. If the neurotransmitters have nothing to communicate to the area of your brain that controls mood and emotion, depression can result.

Depression has been proven to be hereditary. Major depression seems to occur generation after generation. But it can also occur in people with no family history.
If someone in your family has a problem with depression, be aware that it can show up in other members of the family or in your children.

People who are always pessimistic, have low self-esteem or are easily overwhelmed by stress are prone to developing depression. Researchers are not sure if this is a psychological indicator of developing depression or an early form of the disease.

Researchers have now discovered that physical changes in the body leads to mental changes also. People who have had a stroke, heart attack, cancer, parkinson's disease or hormonal changes can develop depression so severe that they no longer want to care for themselves or do anything to get better. This will prolong recovery time. Sometimes, if the depression is not treated, they will never recover.

There is hope for people with depression. There are several newer medications on the market today to help with depression. These are called SSRIs ( serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). They work directly on the neurotransmitters in the brain and have fewer side effects. Your doctor may try you on a few different anti-depressants to find the one that works best for you.

It is important to remember that it can take up to 8 weeks to achieve the full effects of a anti-depressant. Persistence is the key. Give the medicine a chance to work before you decide that it is not right for you. Do not discontinue the medicine just because you feel better. Anti-depressants should not be stopped abruptly or without guidance from your physician. Some people may need to take anti-depressants for the rest of their lives. But this is not the case in every situation. Your doctor can help you decide what is right for you. Always make sure that your doctor is aware of any other medications that you may be taking including vitamins and herbs.

There are ways to recover from depression. Get support from family and friends. Talk to your doctor about your moods and feelings. He may recommend psychotherapy along with medication. Don't be ashamed for the way you are feeling. Depression can be a lot bigger than you and you will need help to overcome it.