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What is a Depression?
A depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, depression symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. This seems to be the case with bipolar disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder found that those with the illness have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who do not get ill. However, the reverse is not true: Not everybody with the genetic makeup that causes vulnerability to bipolar disorder will have the illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly stresses at home, work, or school, are involved in its onset.
What causes Depression?
Depression can be caused by hereditary or environmental influences. So just because someone had a bad childhood does not mean that they will have depression later in life. Also, just because someone's mother, father, or other close relative has been diagnosed with depression, again does not mean that they will have depression later in life. This is very important to remember because many people are afraid to tell others of their condition. They believe that people will assume one of the above two situations and that makes the person uncomfortable. It is only by freely talking to others about your problems that you can begin to feel comfortable about yourself and your situation.
What are the common Depression Types?
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses. Below are listed most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.
- Major Depression
- Dysthymia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Postpartum Depression
- Clinical Depression
- Chronic Depression
What are the Depression Signs and Symptoms?
Not everyone who has depression experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms of depression varies with individuals and also varies over time.
Who Gets Depression?
The most common misconception is that there is a certain type of person who gets depression. The sad truth, however, is that ANYONE can get depression. It is not passed along like some disease. Instead it is induced in one of numerous ways which can lead to weeks, months, or even years of depression symptoms.
How is Depression Treated?
There are four common types of depression treatment:
- Anti-depressant medications
- Psychotherapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Alternative Depression Treatment
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