What is Depression

How would you answer the question, "What is depression?" Find out what this disorder is and how many people are affected by it.

Depression can be difficult to diagnose.

What is Depression?: a Definition

Depression is a very common mental illness that affects the individual's thought processes and moods. Chances a very good that you or someone you know has felt depressed at some point. The person who is in a depressive episode experiences something other than sadness or even grief. Both of these are feelings, and depression may be described as a lack of feeling.

It is possible to be depressed without realizing that the symptoms that you are experiencing add up to this disorder. If you find that you can't enjoy the kinds of activities that you used to and the symptoms last for 14 days or more, you may need to see a doctor to be screened for depression.

Symptoms of Depression

People who are depressed may experience these kinds of emotional symptoms:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of despair, worthlessness or hopelessness
• Guilt
• Irritability
• Lack of sex drive
• Negative thoughts
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Poor self-esteem
• Self-criticism
• Sleep disturbances (having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much)
• Withdrawing from social situations

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Along with the emotional signs of depression, the person may experience some physical symptoms as well, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Loss of muscle tone in the facial area
• Restlessness

Depression Facts and Statistics

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over one quarter (26.2 percent) of the population of the United States has a "diagnosable mental disorder in any given year."

• Depression is a type of mood disorder, and 9.5 percent of people living in the U.S. have one. One person can have depression issues and an anxiety disorder at the same time.

• The leading cause of disability in people aged 15-44 is Major Depressive Disorder, also known as Clinical Depression. Major Depressive Disorder affects 6.7 percent of people in the U.S., and this works out to 14.8 million adults.

• Depression affects women more often than men.

• Dysthymic disorder, characterized by a chronic but mild state of depression lasting two years or more, affects 1.5 percent of the U.S. population, or 5.7 million adults, each year.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that less that one-third (29 percent) of people with depression contacted a mental health professional for treatment.

• About 80 percent of people who reported feeling depressed stated that they had at least some degree of functional impairment due to the condition.

• Over one-quarter of depressed individuals (27 percent) had problems at work or in their personal relationships because of depression.

Getting Help for Depression

Now you have more information to answer the question, "What is Depression?" It is a mood disorder that is all too common in modern society. Effective treatments for depression are available if the affected person reaches out for help.

A combination of medication and some kind of counseling is an effective way of treating depression. There are several types of antidepressants available, and it may take several weeks for them to take effect. If you begin taking one and don't notice any improvement after a while, it doesn't mean that you won't ever get better. It is something that you need to discuss with your doctor. You may need to try more than one medication before you find the one that will help.

• Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms
• Caffeine Withdrawal
• Anti Depression Foods
• Depression Quiz
• Am I an Alcoholic

• Causes of Drug Addiction
• Drug Addiction Poems
• Compulsive Lying
• Treatment for Compulsive Lying
• Short Term Effects of Smoking Crystal Meth

• Addiction and Depression
• Depression Medication
• Manic Depression
• Anxiety and Depression
• Survey:Depression Quiz