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Depression

At some point in our lives, everyone goes through a period of depression. It is our natural reaction to respond this way to loss and everyday struggles, but we eventually bounce back from whatever is getting us down. However, sometimes these feelings of sorrow and helplessness may become so intense that the person cannot seem to shake them, and it can even prevent them from living a normal life. This sort of depression, known as major depressive disorder, can be treated through a combination of medication and therapy. Other forms of treatable depression include:

  • Major depression
  • Chronic depression
  • Bipolar depression
  • Seasonal depression
  • Psychotic depression
  • Postpartum depression

Based on statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, almost 18.8 million Americans older than 18 are suffering from major depression. Suicide, which can be directly related to depression, is the third leading cause of death among children and teens ages 10 to 24. Whatever the reason, the majority of these people never even seek help. If depression goes undiagnosed and untreated, it may linger for years and gradually worsen until the person resorts to suicide as a solution.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of depression that you should be on the lookout for include:

  • Gloominess.
  • Lack of pleasure from hobbies, etc. that used to be enjoyable.
  • Low self-esteem.
  • Low attention span.
  • Indecisiveness.
  • Insomnia or unwillingness to get out of bed.
  • Stomach ailments and other problems with the digestive tract.
  • Sexual troubles (e.g., decreased libido).
  • Pain and discomfort (e.g., frequent headaches).
  • Fluctuations in appetite causing weight gain or loss.
  • Ideas regarding death, suicide, and self-mutilation.
  • Act of carrying out self-mutilation or attempting suicide.

Warning signs of depression

If a friend or family member is exhibiting any of the following warning signs, encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional or go to the emergency room for treatment as soon as possible:

  • Talk of death or suicide
  • Talk of harming oneself or others
  • Aggressive or impulsive behavior

Prior suicide attempts increase the likelihood that there will be more in the future. Any comments regarding suicide cannot be taken lightly. If someone you care about appears to have any intentions to commit suicide, they need to get help immediately.