What is Depression?

Most people feel depressed at times. Losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, and other difficult situations can lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous, or anxious.

Depression —also called “clinical depression” or a “depressive disorder”— is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Depression is the most common of the affective disorders; it may range from a very mild condition, bordering on normality, to severe (psychotic) depression accompanied by hallucinations and delusions. Worldwide, depression is a major cause of disability and premature death.

Depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease and affects people in all communities across the world.

Depressive disorders often start at a young age; they reduce people’s functioning and often are recurring. For these reasons, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide in terms of total years lost due to disability.

In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, hopelessness and worry. Symptoms in adolescents and teens may include anxiety, anger and avoidance of social interaction.

What Causes Depression? Research suggests that a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in depression. Depression can occur along with other serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Depression can make these conditions worse and vice versa.
What is Depression?

Eight Fast Facts of Women and Depression

The Depression
The facts provided by National Mental Information Center

1.One in four women will experience severe depression at some point in life.

2.Depression affects twice as many women as men, regardless of racial and ethnic background or income.

2.Depression is the number one cause of disability in women.

3.In general, married women experience more depression than single women do, and depression is common among young mothers who stay at home full-time with small children.

4.Women who are victims of sexual and physical abuse are at much greater risk for depression.

5.At least 90 percent of all cases of eating disorders occur in women, and there is a strong relationship between eating disorders and depression.

6.Depression can put women at risk for suicide. While more men than women die from suicide, women attempt suicide about twice as often as men do.

7.Only about one-fifth of all women who suffer from depression seek treatment.

8.Depression can - and should - be treated.
Eight Fast Facts of Women and Depression

Depression

The Depression

Initial treatment
Treatment of depression may include antidepressant medication, professional counseling such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.
Professional counseling may be all that you need for mild to moderate depression.

If your early symptoms are severe, your initial treatment most likely will include both antidepressants and professional counseling.

Hospitalization may be necessary if you show warning signs of suicide, such as thoughts or plans about harming yourself or another person, detachment from reality (psychosis), or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

Depression can lead to suicide. The warning signs of suicide change with age.

Warning signs of suicide in children and teens may include preoccupation with death or suicide or a recent breakup of a relationship.

Warning signs of suicide in adults may include alcohol or substance abuse, recent job loss, or divorce.

Warning signs of suicide in older adults may include the recent death of a partner or diagnosis of a life-limiting illness.Depression usually can be successfully treated with medication, professional counseling, or a combination of the two. However, it sometimes takes several attempts to find the medication and type of counseling that work best for you. It can take 4 to 12 weeks for medications to take effect, although they often work more quickly. You and your health professional will work together to find the right treatment.

The depression

Sleep difficulties due to overstress

Depression
If you suffer from overstress, you have disrupted the function of your Body Clock. Re-setting your Body Clock is vital if you are to feel well, sleep soundly, and awake refreshed. Give yourself a definite wake up and sleep time. This sets a frame of reference for your Body Clock. It will take two or three weeks to synchronize your Body Clock to your schedule. So, stick to your schedule!

But what if you try to go to sleep at 10 p.m. and can’t fall asleep? Or what if I fall asleep but keep waking up during the night?

Sleep difficulty is the hallmark of overstress. When your Body Clock stops working, you may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Or conversely, you may feel sleepy all the time. Either symptom may be produced when the Body Clock stops working. It all depends on which "position" the Clock was in when it stops: wakefulness, or sleepiness.

So, do not expect to have your sleep problems go away until your Body Clock is working again. Go ahead and set yourself a reasonable wake up time and bed time. Do the best you can to stick to these times. As you lower your stress levels, your Body Clock will begin to work. It will then match its cycle of wakefulness and sleep to the times that you have set for it. Remember, this process will take at least three weeks, so stick firmly to your time schedule.

But what if you put yourself to bed at bed time, and you just lie there without falling asleep?
If, after 45 minutes, you have not fallen asleep, get up and read a book or do something around the house. Sooner or later, you will feel sleepy and fall asleep. Keep putting yourself to bed at your bed time every night. As you reduce your stress levels, your Body Clock will begin working. Your Body Clock will gradually match your chosen sleep schedule. In the meantime, be patient and work to reduce your stress levels as much as possible.
Depression