What should I know about depression?
Depression is not the same as feeling "blue."
Being depressed does not mean you are "crazy."
No one knows why certain people get depressed.
Heredity may be factor, but so are environment and events in a person's
life.
We do know that depression starts with
a biochemical imbalance in the brain.
There
are two types of depression: clinical depression and dysthymia.
Clinical
depression is the most severe.
Dysthymia, while less severe, lasts longer. A person will experience
two or more of the following symptoms for at least 2 years:
lack
of appetite or overeating
inability
to sleep or too much sleep
fatigue
low
self-esteem
low
concentration
feelings of hopelessness
Depression
and Suicide
Depression
does not always lead to suicide.
Depression
can be treated readily, and the success rate for treating depression
is high.
Counseling
by a psychologist or other mental health professional may be enough
to help.
If
a person needs medication, only a psychiatrist, a medical doctor with
further studies in mental health, may prescribe it.
Severe,
suicidal depression is a very real medical emergency.
If
you or someone you know is depressed, see that you or the person gets
help before suicidal thoughts can occur.
