Mood Disorders...

When I was younger, I was always told that depression is not a real disease, that it was just something that people talked about when they were feeling sad. Now that I am older, I like to do plenty of reading on subjects that interest me and that I am unsure about the source. Recently though I've read on major depressive disorder, feeling sad and helpless everyday for weeks at a time. The idea that depression has a specific look and is easily identified by trained professionals astounds me. I now believe that depression is a serious issue because of the side effects to being depressed such as:

• little energy
• contemplation of suicide
• hardly imagining being happy
• feeling worthless
• sleeping trouble
• lack of concentration

It is evident that there are many factors that affect why people fall into depression. For most patients, they remember a highly stressful event that could have triggered the first episode, such as the loss of a loved one. After the first single episode of depression, more will follow and much easier too.
Families should be aware of the possible onset of depression if another member has had a history of depression. There is also different kinds of depression and levels of extremities.

Postpartum depression significant in women after giving birth. This 20% reported degree of postpartum depression is real and is flourished by stress as well as hormonal fluctuations. It is also believed that the amount of stressful life events and lack of social support will increase the chance of postpartum depression.

There is a difference between sadness and actual clinically significant depression. The video below is a great explanation of major depression and the changes that occur in the brain.

If you are feeling any of these significant signs or symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor, school counselor, or a trusted source for direction and help in overcoming this disorder. It is important to remember that you are not alone, as the video explains, there are over 20 million Americans feeling the exact same way.

There are ways to help deal with depression and there is hope. In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline