What is Depression? | What is depression? |
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| Thursday, 03 February 2005 | |
What is depression?Feeling fed up and low in mood is a normal part of life. When difficulties or upsetting events occur it is not unusual to feel down and stop enjoying things. Likewise when good things happen, a person may experience happiness, pleasure and a sense of really being able to achieve things in life. The reasons for low mood are usually clear. This includes a stressful situation, a relationship difficulty, feeling let down by someone, financial difficulties, unforeseen events or some other practical problem. Most of the time the drop in mood only lasts for a short period of time and then we "bounce back".Occasionally, however, this "depressed" feeling can worsen and completely dominate our life. When someone feels very low for more than two weeks, doctors call this a depressive illness. It is important to say that depression is very common and no one should feel ashamed if they are diagnosed with depression. This term describes a broad range of symptoms that vary from person to person but which have an unhelpful impact on their lives. Depression and anxiety often occur together - with up to one in five people noticing both problems at the same time. Depression can worsen problems such as anxiety. If this is the case for you then treatment of the depression may result in a marked improvement in your anxiety problems too. The following checklist will help you to identify whether you have any of the common symptoms of depression. Depression checklist: Altered thinking. Q. Am I very negative about things in general? Altered feelings. Altered physical symptoms. Altered behaviour. Q. Have I begun to reduce or stop doing things that previously gave me a sense of pleasure or achievement? Q. Have I begun to be less socially active/staying in more? If you have answered Yes to questions in most of the five areas, you are probably experiencing a depressive illness. This is depression that is affecting your thinking, feelings, body, behaviour and social activities to a significant extent. Talk to your health care practitioner to find out more about this. They will be able to offer you important information that will help you to work out together whether you are experiencing a depressive disorder.Next step: If you want to find out more about Depression, please discus this with your health care practitioner. You will also find useful information in the Overcoming Depression: A Five Areas Approach book. References: Overcoming Anxiety: A Five Areas Approach. Williams C, (2003) Hodder Arnold: London ISBN: 034081005X Credits: This page can be reproduced for personal use, or for use in training or teaching. Please credit the source below. Source: www.feelinglikethis.com |