| What is depression | | | | and restless or slowed down in motion |
| Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect | | | | Foggy Headed – your ability to think seems |
| the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about | | | | decreased or your thinking seems clouded and you |
| yourself, and the way you think about things. A | | | | are unable to make any decisions |
| depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. It is | | | | Lifestyle factors- Many of the unhealthy lifestyle habits |
| not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be | | | | that contribute to illnesses such as heart disease can |
| willed or wished away. | | | | also trigger anxiety & depression. High levels of |
| A depressive disorder involves the body, mood, and | | | | stress or anxiety combined with poor eating and |
| thoughts. People who are depressed cannot "snap out | | | | sleeping habits, and no exercise for prolonged periods |
| of it" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can | | | | may be a significant factor in some people’s |
| last for months or years. Treatments such as | | | | experience of depression. |
| antidepressant medications and psychotherapy can | | | | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
| reduce and sometimes eliminate the | | | | Prevention |
| What causes depression? | | | | Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent depression, or |
| The exact cause is not known. Anyone can become | | | | lessen the chances of it happening again. These habits |
| depressed. Some people are more prone to it, and it | | | | include eating properly, sleeping adequately, exercising |
| can develop for no apparent reason. You may have | | | | regularly, learning to relax, and not drinking alcohol or |
| no particular problem or worry, but symptoms can | | | | using drugs. |
| develop quite suddenly. An episode of depression may | | | | Counseling may help you through times of grief, stress, |
| also be triggered by a life event such as relationship | | | | or low mood. Family therapy may be particularly |
| problem, bereavement, redundancy, illness, etc. In many | | | | important for teens who feel blue. |
| people it is a mixture of the two. | | | | Treatment |
| Heredity: Certain types of depression seem to run in | | | | The first step in the treatment of depression is a |
| certain families. Research is ongoing as to exactly | | | | physical examination. This is done to rule out disorders |
| which genes are involved in depression. Just because | | | | like thyroid disease, anemia or a recent viral infection, |
| someone is your family has depression, however, | | | | which can produce symptoms similar to those found in |
| doesn't mean you will. | | | | a depressive illness. In an estimated 20 to 25 % of |
| The causes of clinical depression are likely to be | | | | major depressive episodes, the cause is an underlying |
| different for different people. Sometimes a depressive | | | | factor such as a particular medication or a medical |
| episode can appear to come out of nowhere at a | | | | condition. |
| time when everything seems to be going fine. | | | | Medications |
| Symptoms of depression. | | | | Dozens of medications are available to treat |
| Low Mood – when you feel low, sad, empty, are | | | | depression. Most people find the best relief of |
| easily brought to tears and experience frequent | | | | depression symptoms by combining medications and |
| periods of irritability | | | | psychotherapy. Some medications for depression are |
| Decrease in Pleasure (Anhedonia) – when you | | | | antidepressants that have been specifically approved |
| have lost most or all interest in activities you enjoy, | | | | by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat |
| even routine activities . | | | | depression. |
| Motor Problems – you may feel physically agitated | | | | |