A Broken Life

11 Symptoms Of Depression And How To Recognize Them

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.

Jean Morgan
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/11-symptoms-of-depression-and-how-to-recognize-them-103103.html

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Herbal Remedies for Depression – Did You Know There Are Alternatives to Prescriptions?

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a pervasive sense of sadness and hopelessness, and inability to enjoy life. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: fatigue, irritability, crying spells, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. People dealing with depression need to know that recovery is possible and that it is more than a case of the “blues” that they can shake with willpower, as well-meaning friends or relatives may suggest. Depression is a real disease.

Anyone can suffer from depression, though women tend to get it more than men. In children, the rates are similar between the sexes. Those with a family history of depression are more likely to have it. Severity can range from situational depression, which is caused by a stressful life event; to dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting form of depression; to major or clinical depression. There is also seasonal depression that occurs when exposure to natural light is limited, postpartum and premenstrual depression that occurs due to hormonal changes, and other less common forms.

The cause of moderate to severe depression is now widely agreed to be biochemical imbalances in the brain. While very mild or situational periods of depression may resolve on their own, most cases require some kind of intervention. Traditionally, modern psychiatry offered only talk therapy and medications with severe side effects for sufferers. Since the discovery of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) like fluoxetine (Prozac) in the 1980’s, many people have found relief from the symptoms of depression.

But with society leaning much more toward “greener” lifestyles, holistic methods of health are more popular than ever. There are several tried-and-true herbal remedies for depression. St. John’s wort, for example, has been used extensively in Europe for decades, prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists for their patients suffering from depression. Study after study – over twenty – have proven its effectiveness. Gingko biloba also helps with depression by increasing blood flow to the brain, which increases mood and memory.

Other herbal remedies for depression can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Valerian root, for example, can help promote the high-quality sleep that is so often elusive when depression hits.

The importance of a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise in maintaining and improving health can never be overemphasized. In addition to promoting overall fitness and endurance, exercise increases production of the body’s “feel good” hormones, which elevate mood. A balanced diet containing omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals can improve mood and alleviate depression.

Untreated depression can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones. But there is help available that can lift the veil of depression and allow the sun to shine in again.

Shannon Pollock
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/herbal-remedies-for-depression-did-you-know-there-are-alternatives-to-prescriptions-521079.html

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Educating Society About Depression and Mental Illness – Must Know Facts

Depression can be a fatal illness in the elderly.

Depression is a chronic disease with a very high likelihood of recurrence. Long term treatment may be necessary for your older parent. Efficacious treatments are available.

Major depression strikes about 1 in 12 adolescents. In any given 6-month period, about 5 percent of 9- to 17-year-olds are estimated to be suffering from major depression.

Six million elderly suffer from some form of depression. Their depression tends to be dismissed as inevitable, but in fact is a serious medical condition that can magnify disability and lead to premature death.

Clinical depression can often accompany long-term illnesses that are common in later life, such as diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Some medications can also trigger clinical depression. Depression is also a common consequence of alcohol problems among older adults.

The number of deaths from suicide each year is greater than the number of deaths from Homicide. Depression is not sadness. In depression, we lose the ability to feel any emotion strongly.The true opposite of depression is vitality the ability to feel a full range of emotions, including happiness, joy, pride, but also including sadness and grief.

Major depression is extreme and persistent and can interfere significantly with an individual’s ability to function, in contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, grief, loss, or passing mood states.

Almost 20 percent of Americans have some form of depression, most without knowing it. They just assume that they can’t win, that their relationships are always trouble and that hopelessness, insomnia, chronic fatigue, and guilt are their lot in life.

In the elderly population, men are nearly six times more likely than women to commit suicide.

Men often deal with depression by withdrawing from others and throwing themselves into their work, engaging in risky or dangerous behavior, and/or becoming angry, frustrated and abusive.

Less severe forms of depression are also common among the elderly and can be as debilitating as Major Depressive Disorder.

Mild levels of depression can also impair functioning and coping with chronic illnesses and pain. Depression, however, is not a normal part of aging.

Research findings indicate that women with bipolar disorder may have more depressive episodes and more mixed episodes than do men with the illness.

As many as 80 percent of women experience the “postpartum blues,” a brief period of mood symptoms that is considered normal following childbirth.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder.

Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

Depression can lead to poor school attendance and performance, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Some teens try to make the pain of depression go away by drinking or taking drugs, which only makes the depression worse. Still others contemplate suicide.

All too often, depression is left untreated because people fail to recognize the symptoms and believe that it is just normal sadness, a phase that a teen is going through, or a sign of weakness. This can be a terrible mistake. It is important to know the symptoms, so that you can distinguish depression from occasional normal sadness or moodiness.

Rachel Broune
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/educating-society-about-depression-and-mental-illness-must-know-facts-250343.html

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Deep Depression on Campus (College Health Guru)

For some people, college is four years of fun. Meanwhile, others suffer from severe college depression.
Learn more at http://College.HealthGuru.com?YT/

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Major Depression Is a Serious Medical Illness

Major depression is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mental disorder. Its characteristic symptoms are pervasive mood swings, low self-esteem and loss of pleasure or interest in activities that the individual generally found enjoyable.

Major depression is different from depression, although the terms are often used synonymously. But the fact is major depression is different from what is referred to as ‘depression, which is actually a depressed mood. Major depression is a disabling condition which affects and impairs an individual’s work, family life, school life, sleeping and eating habits and overall health. Women are at a greater risk for major depression as compared to men, but suicide is more common among men. In the United States, about 3.4% of individuals with major depression commit suicide, while depression is a problem with 60% of all those who commit suicide.

Major depression is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 years to 40 years with a later peak between 50 years to 60 years. There are, however, no laboratory tests for depressions. Physicians and psychologists often do refer laboratory tests to assess that the symptoms are not the result of other diseases.

The symptoms of major depression are sometimes obvious, other times not so. Many a times they are mistaken for a depressed mood but the fact is major depression lasts longer and the symptoms will go well beyond two weeks. A person suffering from major depression will exhibit the following symptoms;

1. Persistently sad or irritable mood

2. Pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy

3. Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering

4. Physical slowing or agitation

5. Lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed

6. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness

7. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

8. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Major depression can be brought about by a number of reasons and it’s hard to pinpoint a single culprit. Psychological, biological and environmental factors may all play their part and often it is the combination of these rather than one isolated factor. Regardless of what caused if, major depression is a serious medical illness that warrants medical care.

What happens inside the body to bring about major depression? Scientists believe that norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are three neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells), and these are involved in major depression. When a chemical imbalance occurs in these neurotransmitters, major depression is the result. Anti-depressant medication works by stabilizing the chemical balances. Anti-depressants either increase the availability of neurotransmitters or change the sensitivity level of the receptors for them.

The heredity nature of major depression has been found to be quite a determining and predicting factor. An individual who has a family history of major depression is at a higher risk for developing major depression than those who don’t have major depression in the family. This doesn’t mean that every person with a family history of major depression will develop the illness, but for such individuals, there may be a genetic vulnerability.

Whatever the case may be, if you suspect that you or a loved one has major depression, you should immediately consult a psychologist as the condition will affect both your health and your life.

jeniferhobson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/major-depression-is-a-serious-medical-illness-1000013.html

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Depression – What is Depression?

The latter type, sometimes referred to as ‘clinical depression’, is defined as ‘a persistent exaggeration of the everyday feelings that accompany sadness’.

If you have severe depression you may experience low mood, loss of interest and pleasure as well as feelings of worthlessness and guilt. You may also experience tearfulness, poor concentration, reduced energy, reduced or increased appetite and weight, sleep problems and anxiety. You may even feel that life is not worth living, and plan or attempt suicide.

Depression can affect anyone, of any culture, age or background. About twice as many women as men seek help for depression, though this may reflect the greater readiness of women to discuss their problems.

One thing that may make it hard for doctors to recognise depression is that people with depression often complain of physical problems, commonly headaches, lethargy, stomach upsets or joint pains, rather than low mood, sometimes because these can be significant symptoms, but sometimes because they find it difficult to admit to feeling emotionally distressed for reasons they may not even be able to identify.

Depression is usually related to upsetting life events, such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, physical illness, or job or money worries.

Are there different types of depression?

Bi-polar disorder (manic depression)

Someone with bi-polar affective disorder has both ‘high’ and ‘low’ mood swings, along with changes in thoughts, emotions and physical health.

Post-natal depression (PND)

About 1 in 10 women experience postnatal depression in the first year after having a baby.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Some people describe feeling depressed regularly at certain times of the year. Usually this kind of depression starts in the autumn or winter, when daylight is reduced.

How can you reduce the risk of depression?

  • Keep in touch with you friends. If you are already depressed you find it very difficult to be sociable, and this can make you feel more depressed. So it is important for you to keep in contact with friends and find someone to talk to when you are feeling low.

  • Keep active. Being more active is associated with lower levels of depression. Outdoor activity seems to be particularly important in staving off depression in older men.
    Review your eating habits. Recent research has suggested that people who are depressed may have low levels of certain essential fatty acids, which are found in fish oils. It has therefore been suggested that people with depression should change their eating habits, for example eating more oily fish such as sardines, or should take fish oil supplements.

  • Investigate herbal medicine. St John’s Wort ( Hypericum perforatum) can help many people with mild to moderate depression. Before taking St John’s Wort check with your doctor or pharmacist especially if you are taking other kinds of medication, for example for heart disease, epilepsy, asthma or migraine.

  • Investigate self-help techniques. Some people have reported benefits from various self help techniques such as meditation, listening to music, and acupuncture.

  • Take control. Some people find it helps if they have some control over what happens. This helps to guard against the kind of ‘hopelessness’ which is associated with depression. Activities that involve making a ‘fresh start’ have been shown to help people recover from long-lasting depression. Similarly, learning to set small or manageable goals can give you a sense of achievement and make you feel better.

There are a number of self-help books, guides, and software programmes which can help you to learn ways of coping with mild to moderate episodes of depression.


What treatments are there for depression?

Drug treatments

Anti-depressant drugs act by increasing the activity of those brain chemicals which affect the way we feel. Anti-depressants are thought to help 2 out of 3 of people with depression.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as dothiepin, imipramine, and amitryptyline are often prescribed for moderate to severe depression. These usually take up to two weeks to start working and may have side effects.

Newer antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and SNRIs) target specific chemical ‘messengers’ in the brain. The most well-known SSRI is fluoxetine (Prozac) but there are several other brands. These newer drugs are popular because they tend to have fewer side effects than older drugs.

Lithium carbonate is sometimes prescribed to people with severe depression. High levels of lithium in the blood are dangerous so anyone taking lithium must have regular blood tests.

If you are prescribed drugs for depression you will probably be advised to take them for at least six months – or longer if you have a previous history of depression. You may experience withdrawal effects if you stop taking antidepressant drugs, particularly if you stop suddenly. These effects can include headache, nausea, dizziness and even hallucinations. Always consult your doctor before stopping taking anti-depressants. Do not stop taking medication suddenly as the withdrawal effects may be severe.

Talking treatments

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of ‘talking’ treatment. It is based on the fact that the way we feel is partly dependent on the way we think about events (cognition). It also stresses the importance of behaving in ways which challenge negative thoughts – for example being active to challenge feelings of hopelessness.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on people’s relationships and on problems such as difficulties in communication, or coping with bereavement. There is some evidence that IPT can be as effective as medication or CBT but more research is needed.

Counselling is a form of therapy in which counsellors help people think about the problems they are experiencing in their lives and find new ways of coping with difficulties. They give support and help people find their own solutions, rather than offering advice or treatment.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ECT is a controversial treatment which is intended only to be used for people with severe depression who have not responded well to medication or other treatments. The person receiving ECT is given an anaesthetic and drugs to relax their muscles. They then receive an electrical ’shock’ to the brain, through electrodes placed on the head. Most people are given a series of ECT sessions. Some people say that ECT is very helpful in relieving their depression, although others have reported unpleasant experiences, including memory problems.

For free advice on Depression or for a free consultation over the phone or in person ring 0151 678 3358 or 07714853 524 or visit http://www.clairehegarty.co.uk

Visit out site to read all the latest health news. Visit http://www.in2town.co.uk

diane walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/depression-what-is-depression-665085.html

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Depression…?

I’m 17 and I’ve had depression for about 5years now.

Lately I’ve noticed a lot of my friends and people I know are claiming they have depression. (I know I shouldn’t judge because I don’t know their full story) But it seems like it’s the ‘cool’ thing to do.

I don’t tell people about my depression (except my really close friends and family) and I don’t want any sympathy. It really seems like these people (mainly girls) are going around telling people just for the attention.

For example, one girl I know she broke up with her boyfriend and now she is telling people she has clinical depression.

I know this isn’t really my problem. But this is negativly reflecting on those who ACTUALLY have depression. It is a disease not a way to get attention.

What do you think?

Some people are real attention grabbers and think that depression is fun.
People who actually have depression are suffering.
I agree. I have depression and some people are "Oh I have depression because such and such broke up with me"
I wouldn’t be surprised that if their parents or a school official took their depression seriosuly and recommened them to a mental facility or a therapist.
You watch how fast they say they don’t have depression.

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Finding the Right Depression Treatment- on and Off the Pc

Do you get depressed on (and off) your computer? Depression (prolonged sadness with no prolonged rational cause) is actually quite

common. In the United States, about 1 in 10 of citizens actually suffer from this illness.

Unfortunately, not even a major proportion of them get properly treated, thus, depression and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to

far too many individuals, plus a drain on business and society as a whole.

Is this illness something you can shake off by yourself-like flu or maybe a bereavement-and then get back on your keyboard?

Ordinary grief or sadness…yes. Sadly clinical depression takes far more than a little cheering up to actually cure.

As the name suggests, it is a genuine medical condition, often needing outside support to recover, or even cope.

Constant visits to a suitable behavior therapist are often vital, in addition to correctly taking any of the prescribed medicines that the

doctor has given.

Although neither treatment nor medication will be free, the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of severe

depression is enough reason already for them to be supported in facing depression head on by properly investing in the various

effective depression treatments now available.

Depression can badly interfere with an individual’s daily activities, ruin any attempt at healthy computing practices, impair their

normal functions and bring any but the most routine and easy business activities to a halt.

A solitary occupation – running a business on the Internet-can in fact increase ones feelings of stress and isolation. One’s zest for life

can quickly and easily dissipate due to intense depression.

Just picture it-in place of an energetic sunny disposition, you can become a stranger, hating yourself, having no drive or motivation,

isolating yourself from the world and basically just not caring about living or participating any more,

Additionally, someone suffering from depression will directly or indirectly make those around them suffer strain heartache and

depression as well.

Seeing the individual go through such rough patches, basically indifferent to anything or anyone anymore, its highly likely that not only

will depression corrode a relationship with ones self, but with his or her loved ones and business contacts too.

Depression treatment usually begins with the depressed person being gradually being supported and encouraged to openly

acknowledge both that they are ill (and wish to be free of it), and that they can escape.

This is what really makes it possible not only for the doctor but for the patient, to actually treat and confine depression, and

ultimately find an appropriate depression treatment for most sufferers.

With various medications (like Zoloft antidepressant depression treatment) plus a wide variety of psychotherapies, the patient, as

well as their family, should have a considerable range of options tailored towards the particular depression profile displayed.

Psychotherapy, a popular type of depression treatment includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks

promising to actually be able to make positive results for the depression patient.

This form of depression treatment actually assists a depressed individual by slowly enabling them to open up about their feelings, the

root of their problems, and the roots of their depression.

Healthy verbal exchanges between a cognitive behavior therapist and the patient is great depression treatment that will positively

enable the depression sufferer by helping them discuss and talk about whatever they’ve been bottling up inside them

Various medications that are available for depression treatment will help the depression patient regulate their mood swings, and help

them sleep better and as well as socialize and feel less threatened or aggravated by others.

To sum up, if you are feeling down and can’t lift yourself back up to where you were, don’t be afraid to seek qualified medical help.

Get depression treatment NOW!

Mick Madigan
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/finding-the-right-depression-treatment-on-and-off-the-pc-91802.html

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Constipation and Depression

Constipation and depression have a history of coinciding with each other. Is it coincidence or is there an underlying reason? Constipation can be a painful and troublesome condition, but does it cause clinical depression? And on the other hand, can depression actually cause constipation? I hope to help lay these questions to rest for any one suffering from these two conditions.

We should first look at what the diagnosis for constipation consists of. Constipation is when the individual has two or fewer bowel movements within a week. If three days pass with no bowel movement, it could pose a serious health risk. The stool will continue to harden the longer it’s in the body, making it even more difficult to expel. Patients are also considered constipated if they experience hard stools, straining or incomplete evacuations 25% of the time they do have bowel movements.

depression can be the result of numerous factors. Lifestyle changes, eating habits, loss of a loved one and health issues can play a huge role in depression cases. Depression can also be rather difficult to diagnose in many cases. Understanding the signs and symptoms of both of these conditions will help you to have a better understanding of what to look for, how to deal with them and how to prevent them.

How to tell if you may be Depressed

The two most obvious symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness or hopelessness and a general loss of interest in daily activities that usually bring pleasure. Depression can be difficult to diagnose properly because it truly is a condition of extremes. It can cause weight gain or weight loss. It can cause insomnia or the sufferer may want to sleep all day. It can cause pain to move while at the same time causing restlessness. And yes, it can cause constipation or diarrhea.

Depression affects the body’s entire system, not just the emotional aspect. It causes the digestive system to function improperly. Headaches and bodily pain are commonplace. In a state of depression, the brain actually isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to. It’s no wonder that depressed individuals feel as though the world is falling down around them. In a sense, it really is.

In the brain, there are two chemicals that affect your mood. Serotonin and norepinephrine. These two chemicals work as transmitters, sending signals from the brain to the nerves in the body. When there is a deficiency in these chemicals, the signals don’t get sent and it throws everything off. It’s interesting to note, that in most cases, the body can actually fix the problem itself. Unfortunately, it can take 1 to 3 years for that to happen and deeply depressed sufferers can’t wait that long.

To replace the depleted serotonin and norepinephrine levels, patients are usually prescribed Antidepressants. One of the main side effects of Antidepressants is constipation.

Why constipation makes us feel depressed

While constipation in and of itself does not cause clinical depression, it can cause someone to feel depressed. The reason is again because of the chemicals in the brain. Constipation prohibits food nutrients from being absorbed by the body. These nutrients are needed for the brain to produce the right amount of serotonin and norepinephrine. When constipated for a long period, the lining of the small intestine can actually build up a layer of toxins that fully prevent any nutrients from being absorbed. Toxins that are normally expelled by the body through bowel movements now have nowhere to go but to be re-absorbed by the body, making matters even worse.

Women are prime targets for both conditions, especially while pregnant. The body’s hormones are going so berserk that depression is rarely not seen during or after pregnancy. Another stage in a woman’s life that brings on depression is menopause. It’s been shown that estrogen provokes dramatic changes in the brain’s activity.

What can be done to prevent constipation and depression?

When you’re not feeling good, or feeling depressed about something, the most common thing people tend to do is head for some comfort food. It’s usually heavy and unhealthy but totally delicious, right? Unfortunately, those foods, when eaten in large quantities, wreck havoc on an already delicate gastrointestinal situation. It makes it almost inevitable that when you’re depressed, you’ll also end up constipated. It’s a vicious circle that many get stuck in.

The chances of becoming constipated and/or depressed can be dramatically lowered by eating a healthy diet and following a regular exercise routine. Avoiding alcohol and drugs can save the body from many traumas, both mental and physical. Try to follow a regular sleep pattern. Most importantly, if you begin to feel depressed, or have thoughts of suicide, you need to seek help as soon as possible.

—–

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/constipation-and-depression-89922.html

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Clinical Depression Can Cripple you and your Business

Depression is a genuine mental illness often characterized by prolonged periods of sadness and melancholy, say experts from the field of psychiatry. That means it can drain and incapacitate you and destroy your business efforts.

About one in seven of us on average will suffer from depression, though it proportionately afflicts more females than males up to the age of 50. According to the World Health Organization, clinical depression seems set to be second to heart disease by 2020 as the worlds major disabling disease.

That doesnt mean that because you happen to feel a bit down, or drift or sit around , full of misery and generally hating the world around you, particuliarly after a genuine major loss or upset, you have real depression, (although major depression can be created by a massive negative incident, or incidents, in your life).

The nature of depression is very much a matter of quality and quantity,and possibly heredity.

If the depressive behavior, negative outlook, along with intense feelings of emptiness,guilt,worthlessness and unhappiness continue for long periods of time without real cause, prevent you living and functioning normally, and return regularly, or never leave you, thenit is very likely you are developing Clinical Depression.

Here are more possible symptoms:-

– You feel tired most of the time, with no reserves of energy you can call on.

- Sometimes just a minor chore seems too much effort.

– You suffer from aches and pains that appear to have no physical cause.

– You lose your taste for general pleasures- off intimacy, hobbies or food.

– Conversely you may stuff junk food for comfort.

– You repeatedly feel tense and anxious for no reason.

– You don’t want to be around people, or make the effort to chat or socialize.

– Conversely, you may fear being left on your own.

– You cant think clearly and at length.

– You dwell on what has gone wrong and could go wrong in the future.

– Life seems pointless, unfair and owned by other people.

– You are a powerless onlooker or victim of circumstances.

– You think about death and suicide a great deal.

– You cant get to sleep or wake up early and can’t sleep again.

If you have a ‘high score’, you need to take effective action before your health-and wealth-are wrecked beyond repair.

Clinical depression is simply depression that needs clinical treatment, and tends to be a catch-all term doctors use when diagnosing a patient presenting persistent but variable severe depression. In fact, the other name of clinical depression,major depressive disorder is more accurate, because a disorder better describes the varied, sometimes overlapping symptoms of those caught up in clinical depression.

Fortunately, in spite of being a wide ranging disorder, clinical depression CAN usually be treated successfully. Doctors can call on a wide and growing range of effective drugs and therapies, and you can be optimistic that patients with major depressive disorder should be well on their way towards more positive happier mental outlook after they have received individualized treatment.

Patients who have gone as far as seeking treatment for clinical depression have proven to be quite successful in their quest, given that 80 percent of actual clinical depression patients have found relief from their disorder when correctly treated by professionals.

So the effort to escape WILL pay off.

If you are continually depressed-or concerned about someone elses depression-you may get some initial guidance on any apparent clinical depression symptoms or related questions via books reports and discussion groups on and offline, and sites such as this-which can offer a lot of helpful information with regards to clinical depression ,

However, some direct contact with a suitable professional such as your doctor at an early stage, is highly recommended, as untrained medication/treatment could be ineffective and damaging.

Dont be fooled if clinical depression may not appear to pose such an immediate danger as other forms of depression!

Uncontrolled depressive behaviour can ruin or destroy your life, and needs to dealt with by trained professionals who can suitably diagnose and treat this disorder, and enable you in getting your life and lifestyle back on track, and stay healthy on or off computing,

through 2006 and beyond!

Mick Madigan
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/clinical-depression-can-cripple-you-and-your-business-85623.html

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