Symptoms of depression
Depression is a mood state that involves a significant and persistent lowering of mood associated with great sadness. Depression, however, does not simply involve feeling a little low, having a bad day or feeling blue. In depression, the low mood does not go away after a day or two, but persists, often causing major difficulties in coping with everyday life.
Causes of depression
This brochure outlines some of the factors that might cause depressive disorders in some people. It should be stressed that there is no single cause of depression, and often a number of factors come together at a certain time to cause a depressive episode.
Treatment of depression
When someone develops a depressive illness, it is vital that they make contact with a doctor or an appropriate mental health professional. The depressed person may be experiencing symptoms such as difficulty with concentration and memory, fatigue, lack of energy, unexplained aches or pains, and loss of interest in things that once brought them pleasure.
Types of depression
Depression is a term used loosely to describe a number of conditions called depressive disorders that share similar symptoms. The term is frequently misleading since it is widely used by the general public to refer to brief upsets or moods, which are no more than the usual ups and downs of daily life.
Depression: The statistics
Depression is common. According to Lonnqvist (2000) "every year more than one million people commit suicide, accounting for 1 to 2 per cent of total global mortality. It is the fifth highest cause of years of life lost in the developed world".
Information for caregivers
Caregivers are those people who act as support for someone with a mental illness, be it a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, work colleague or relative. Being a caregiver is important because you not only provide love, care and support in the most difficult moments of a loved one's life, you also give feedback, act as a reality check, motivate and encourage, and ultimately, offer a window to a world of hope and normality.
