Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a depressed person as experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. In traditional colloquy, feeling "depressed" is often synonymous with feeling "sad", but both clinical depression and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling.
The precise number of individuals who have severe depression are not known but estimates indicate that about 12 million adults in the US have depression. Depression cuts across all barriers and affects all races, cultures and social classes. The disorder generally begins in early adulthood but can occur at any age. While hospital data reveal that more women have depression, it is hypothesized that this is because men are less likely to seek treatment. Depression occurs in various grades and symptoms are likely to vary in intensity.
Slight depression is of minor consequence. One may become slightly depressed over a loss of a job; break up of a romantic relationship or divorce. Other causes of slight depressions include loss of a parent, sibling, marital stress, job anxiety, moving or not having a great job. Slight depression may present with feelings of sadness, sleeping problems, irritability, being easily annoyed and feeling tired. Slight depression is reversible and short term. Most people get over slight depression with time and supportive therapy.
There are some individuals whom may develop mild depression, which may start gradually for no reason. The individual may start to feel tired, restless, lonely and have difficulty sleeping. In many cases, the individual loses interest in sex and wants to be left alone. One may be able to go to work but not have any enjoyment. Mild depression may last a lot longer than slight depression, but can be overcome with changes in lifestyle, psychotherapy and social support. [1]
However, some individuals develop severe depression, which may induce feelings of suicidal ideation as it is common in severe depression. In severe depression, one may feel sad constantly, cry for no apparent reason, have trouble sleeping and focusing , become fatigued, feel worthless, have headaches or even backache . [2] While slight depression has a cause, both mild and severe depression generally are complex disorders, which are not well understood. Mild depression may be related to the environment, such as being unable to cope with a certain job, unemployment, financial problems or loss of a loved one. No one understands why severe depression occurs. Even though many brain imaging studies have been done, the exact neurotransmitters in the brain which play a role in depression are still in question. Some studies do show that severe depression may be more common in families. [3] Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, there are several risk factors that can trigger or increase the risk of depression.
The precise number of individuals who have severe depression are not known but estimates indicate that about 12 million adults in the US have depression. Depression cuts across all barriers and affects all races, cultures and social classes. The disorder generally begins in early adulthood but can occur at any age. While hospital data reveal that more women have depression, it is hypothesized that this is because men are less likely to seek treatment. Depression occurs in various grades and symptoms are likely to vary in intensity.
Slight depression is of minor consequence. One may become slightly depressed over a loss of a job; break up of a romantic relationship or divorce. Other causes of slight depressions include loss of a parent, sibling, marital stress, job anxiety, moving or not having a great job. Slight depression may present with feelings of sadness, sleeping problems, irritability, being easily annoyed and feeling tired. Slight depression is reversible and short term. Most people get over slight depression with time and supportive therapy.
There are some individuals whom may develop mild depression, which may start gradually for no reason. The individual may start to feel tired, restless, lonely and have difficulty sleeping. In many cases, the individual loses interest in sex and wants to be left alone. One may be able to go to work but not have any enjoyment. Mild depression may last a lot longer than slight depression, but can be overcome with changes in lifestyle, psychotherapy and social support. [1]
However, some individuals develop severe depression, which may induce feelings of suicidal ideation as it is common in severe depression. In severe depression, one may feel sad constantly, cry for no apparent reason, have trouble sleeping and focusing , become fatigued, feel worthless, have headaches or even backache . [2] While slight depression has a cause, both mild and severe depression generally are complex disorders, which are not well understood. Mild depression may be related to the environment, such as being unable to cope with a certain job, unemployment, financial problems or loss of a loved one. No one understands why severe depression occurs. Even though many brain imaging studies have been done, the exact neurotransmitters in the brain which play a role in depression are still in question. Some studies do show that severe depression may be more common in families. [3] Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, there are several risk factors that can trigger or increase the risk of depression.
Post a Comment