Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression. The cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depression can interfere with normal functioning, and frequently causes problems with work, social and family adjustment. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the depressed person.
Depression can affect anyone. Once identified, most people diagnosed with depression are successfully treated. Unfortunately, depression is not always diagnosed, because many of the symptoms mimic physical illness, such as sleep and appetite disturbances. Recognizing depression is the first step in treating it.
There are a number of symptoms of depression and it's very rare for all of them to occur in one person. They include feeling generally miserable, as well as:
Feelings of anxiety.
Short temper.
Blaming self and low self-esteem.
Variation of mood during the day. It's often worse in the morning, improving as the day goes on - but the pattern can be the other way around.
Disturbed sleep, usually waking early and being unable to get back to sleep. This is often because of the negative thoughts racing through their heads.etc
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2006-05-12 @ 12:56