Depression - An Overview : Depression is a mental illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. Also called major depression, major depressive disorder and clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life isn't worth living. Depression is an illness often chronic that usually requires regular treatment, like diabetes or high blood pressure and most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counselling. 

Depression Get Help Be Helped Video by World Health Organization

When others seem to be enjoying life, the black dog stands in the way for a lot of people. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, watch the video. And if you recognize any of this, maybe it's time to think about taking some steps to look after yourself and maybe get some help.  

Symptoms of Depression : 
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals & varies over time. Learn about the symptoms below.

  1. Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  2. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
  3. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  4. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
  5. Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  6. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  7. Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  8. Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
  9. Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  10. Restlessness, irritability
  11. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, 
  12. Such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
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                           Depression symptoms in children and teens
  • In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, hopelessness and worry. Symptoms in adolescents and teens may include anxiety, anger and avoidance of social interaction. Changes in thinking and sleep are common signs of depression in adolescents and adults but are not as common in younger children. In children and teens, depression often occurs along with behavior problems and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Schoolwork may suffer in children who are depressed.
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                                          Depression symptoms in older adults
  • Depression can and does occur in older adults. Unfortunately, it often goes un-diagnosed and untreated because symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex may seem to be caused by other illnesses.. Many adults with depression feel reluctant to seek help when they're feeling down. They may feel dissatisfied with life in general, bored, helpless or worthless. They may always want to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things.Of all people with depression, older adult men are at the highest risk of suicide.
Exploring your depression treatment options : Just as no two people are affected the exact same way by depression, there is no “one size fits all” treatment that cures depression. What works for one person might not work for another. The best way to treat depression is to become as informed as possible about the treatment options, and then tailor them to meet your needs.

Depression treatment tips:
  • Learn as much as you can about your depression. It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first. The severity of your depression is also a factor. The more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment you're likely to need.
  • It takes time to find the right treatment. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and support that works best for you. For example, if you decide to pursue therapy it may take a few attempts to find a therapist that you really click with. Or you may try an antidepressant, only to find that you don't need it if you take a daily half hour walk. Be open to change and a little experimentation.
  • Don’t rely on medications alone. Although medication can relieve the symptoms of depression, it is not usually suitable for long-term use. Other treatments, including exercise and therapy, can be just as effective as medication, often even more so, but don't come with unwanted side effects. If you do decide to try medication, remember that medication works best when you make healthy lifestyle changes as well.
  • Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends, or seek out new connections at a depression support group, for example. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and it won’t mean you’re a burden to others. Often, the simple act of talking to someone face to face can be an enormous help.
  • Treatment takes time and commitment. All of these depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery usually has its ups and downs.