DEPRESSİON

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, this problem can affect how you feel, think, and behave, and can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may find it difficult to carry out normal daily activities and sometimes feel that life is not worth living. This condition is often caused by a complex combination of factors, which can include genetics, family history, trauma, stress, and illness.

Depression is more than just feeling bad, and you can’t just get over it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t be discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy, or both.

SYMPTOMS

Although depression may only happen once in your life, people usually have several episodes in their lifetime. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, almost every day, and include:

• Symptoms of depression in young children may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, anxiety, pain, refusal to go to school, or weight loss.
• Symptoms in adolescents include sadness, irritability, negative and worthless feelings, anger, poor performance or attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and oversensitive, recreational drug or alcohol use, overeating or sleeping, self-harm, curiosity loss may involve avoidance of normal activities and social interactions.

• Feelings of sadness, crying, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
• Sleeplessness, including insomnia or oversleeping
• Fatigue and lack of energy, so that even small tasks require extra effort
• Lose of appetite and weight loss or increased desire to eat more and weight gain
• Restlessness, excitement or anxiety
• Slow thinking, speech, or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, clinging to past failures or blaming oneself
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behaviors, or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems like back pain or headaches etc.

For many people with depression, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems with everyday activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people may feel unhappy or sad without actually knowing why.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The general signs and symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are similar to those of adults, but there may be some differences.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY

Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression in older people is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and they may be hesitant to seek help. In older people, the symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious, such as:

• Memory problems or personality changes
• Physical pain
• Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or loss of interest in sex – not caused by a medical condition or medication
• Often wanting to stay at home rather than socialize or do new things
• Suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially in older men

WHEN TO GET SUPPORT?

If you’re feeling depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. If you are hesitant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, a health care professional, or someone else you trust.