The Truth About Depression
The other day I turned on my stereo to listen to some music and instead tuned into a conversation on the causes of and reasons for depression. The conversation stemmed from a new release of statistics on the number of people suffering with depression today. It was evident to me that neither of the two people conversing had ever suffered a day of depression in their lives. Yet, they were discussing it over the radio for all to hear. I stood there wondering how many people are listening to them who are battling with depression, and who listen to music to help combat some of the symptoms, and instead, heard a conversation between two people who should not have been discussing the subject. I'm certain there were people hurt by that conversation.
I believe most people think of depression as a sadness or a moodiness, sometimes brought on by outward causes such as job stresses or family stresses. Some people think of depression as a mental illness equal to lunacy. Some people think it's a laziness.
Medically, depression is described as a psychiatric disorder, a mental condition, a psychological state, and/or a dysfunction. I have suffered with depression most of my life and I am here to tell you it is a miserable, uncontrollable place of emotional malfunction. True depression is defined as a disabling condition which adversely affects a person's family, work, or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. I was told so many times to 'just pick yourself up by the bootstraps', or 'just get up and get going', or even 'just get over it'. None of those suggestions were even remotely possible. Unlike normal emotional experiences, major depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individuals physical health. It is a medically proven fact that major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and other countries, as well. An average of 15 million American adults are affected by major depression every year. Approximately 3.4% of the people with major depression in the United States commit suicide. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, geographic location, demographic or social position.
The many typical signs and symptoms of depression that can occur include:
~Anger
~Persistent sadness, anxiousness, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and
emptiness
~Irritability and restlessness ~Pronounced changes in sleep patterns
~Significant appetite or weight changes
~Loss of interest in everyday activities
~Loss of energy
~Unexplained persistent aches and pains
~Difficulty thinking, concentrating,and
remembering
~Frequent thoughts of suicide or death
Depression occurs twice as often in women as in men, no matter your race or ethnic background, for undetermined reasons. That's 6.5 percent female compared to 3.3 percent male, which translates to 6.7 million women and 3.2 million men. Researchers suspect that many factors unique to a woman's life play a role.
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Studies show that about 2.5 percent of school-aged children and about 8 percent of adolescents meet the criteria for major depression. In adolescence, twice as many girls as boys are diagnosed with depression. Signs that frequently help parents or others know that a child or teen should be evaluated for depression include:
~Feeling persistently sad
~Talking about suicide or being better off dead
~Becoming much more easily irritated
~Having a noticeable decline in school and/or home functioning
~Making persistent physical complaints and/or making many visits to the school infirmary
~No longer engaging in previously pleasurable activities or interactions with friends
~Substance abuse
Because the child or teen experiencing depression may not show significant behavioral disturbances, parents sometimes fail to get a child evaluated, "hoping for the best". Episodes of depression in children appear to only last months at a time on average, but in some children they may last for years at a time and increase the risk for suicide.
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Depression affects more than 6.5 million Americans aged 65 years or older. Most of the people in this stage of life with depression have been experiencing incidents of the illness through much of their lives. For others, depression has a first onset in late life, even people in their 80s and 90s.
Depression in the elderly often goes unrecognized and untreated because many people think that it is a normal part of aging and a natural reaction to chronic illness, loss, and social transition. Elderly people do face significant challenges through loss, medical vulnerability, and mortality. Many families of elderly people don't recognize the symptoms of depression, or aren't aware that it is a medical illness, and/or don't know how it is treated. They may mistake the symptoms of depression as signs of:
~Dementia
~Alzheimer’s Disease
~Arthritis
~Cancer
~Heart disease
~Parkinson’s Disease
~Stroke
~Thyroid disorders
Depression in older people is closely associated with dependency and disability and causes great suffering for the individual and the family. Also, depression is the single most significant risk factor for suicide in the elderly.
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There is no single cause of major depression. Psychological factors are thought to be the major cause, but biological and environmental factors may also contribute to its development. Some scientists believe that there is a chemical imbalance thought to be involved with major depression. Whatever the specific causes, scientists have firmly established that major depression is a biological illness, as well as a medical illness. Scientists have also found evidence that genetics may play a roll in major depression. There is an increased risk when there is a family history of depression. Not everyone with a genetic predisposition develops depression, though. Life events, such as the death of a loved one, a major life change, or chronic stress may trigger episodes. Some illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer, and even some medications may bring on episodes of depression. I personally believe depression can also be caused by the foods we eat every day. Canned and boxed foods undergo a preserving process by which chemicals are added. Even though this process is permissible under the law by the Federal Food and Drug Administration it's been proven these chemicals have an adverse effect on the body over time.
Although major depression can be devastating , it is treatable. 80 to 90 percent of those diagnosed with major depression can be effectively treated and may be able to return to their usual daily activities and feelings. Many types of treatment are available and the type chosen depends on the individual and the severity of the depression. There are three well-known types of treatment: medications, therapy with either a psychologist or psychiatrist, and Electroshock. Among the many types of treatment available, there are also the not-so-well-known options such as meditation, Holosync, brainwave entrainment, self-hypnosis, Qigong, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and more. Self education is essential in the recovery process. Peer support can also promote recovery. Attention to lifestyle, including better nutrition and exercise, can result in better mental health, as well as physical health.
Depression is a serious medical condition, certainly not something you can 'just get over'. It has the ability to devastate the lives of all involved. Just like any illness, depression should not be ignored. The truth about depression is that it can kill.
Take the time to research every resource of wellness available to you, until you find the right solution for you!