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What is depression?
Maybe you get the blues from time to time or you feel grief over the loss of a loved one. These feelings are an unavoidable but normal and temporary reaction to life's stresses.
There's a point, though, when the intensity and length of those feelings let us know that the depression has stopped being a temporary mood and has become a serious disorder.
What causes depression?
The causes of depression are not yet known.
In the past 10 years, evidence has established that depressive disorders run in families.
Sometimes the onset of a depressive disorder is associated with acute or chronic physical illnesses.
Negative life events, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, a move, a major financial upheaval or other loss may cause depression.
Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem, may cause a person to be more vulnerable to depression.
What are the symptoms of depression? How do I know if I am depressed?
When four or more of the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks or are causing problems with ordinary functioning, professional treatment should be sought:
*Persistent empty or anxious mood
*Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
*Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling slowed down
*Sleep disturbances (insomnia, waking in the middle of the night or oversleeping)
*Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
*Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
*Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
*Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
*Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
*Irritability
*Excessive crying
*Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
* Abnormally elevated mood or a feeling of being high or superhuman
*Increased talking
* Racing thoughts
* Poor judgment that leads to risk-taking behavior
Maybe you get the blues from time to time or you feel grief over the loss of a loved one. These feelings are an unavoidable but normal and temporary reaction to life's stresses.
There's a point, though, when the intensity and length of those feelings let us know that the depression has stopped being a temporary mood and has become a serious disorder.
What causes depression?
The causes of depression are not yet known.
In the past 10 years, evidence has established that depressive disorders run in families.
Sometimes the onset of a depressive disorder is associated with acute or chronic physical illnesses.
Negative life events, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, a move, a major financial upheaval or other loss may cause depression.
Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem, may cause a person to be more vulnerable to depression.
What are the symptoms of depression? How do I know if I am depressed?
When four or more of the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks or are causing problems with ordinary functioning, professional treatment should be sought:
*Persistent empty or anxious mood
*Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
*Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling slowed down
*Sleep disturbances (insomnia, waking in the middle of the night or oversleeping)
*Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
*Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
*Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
*Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
*Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
*Irritability
*Excessive crying
*Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
* Abnormally elevated mood or a feeling of being high or superhuman
*Increased talking
* Racing thoughts
* Poor judgment that leads to risk-taking behavior
Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as medical direction or advice, therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. This is not a replacement for professional services. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Keri M. Zwerner, MA, LMFT and LifeHealingHeart assume no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved