Post by Mel on Jan 27, 2006 12:05:20 GMT -5
What are the signs that you or a loved one suffers from depression? What can you do about it?
Are you feeling down? Do you know someone who is feeling down? Do you find it hard to do normal activities? Do you feel overwhelmed with life? Is you or someone you love suffering from these symptoms?: you are not alone. Everyone feels this way at times. However, how do we know when it is a serious condition?
Depression is when you have feelings of sadness and worthlessness. Often you feel unmotivated to do normal activities. It evolves from feeling bad to depression when it occurs over a long period. This disorder affects 10 million Americans. Women are diagnosed with depression more than men are. This is because women in our society keep their emotions bottled up. Our society is not receptive to female emotion. You often hear derogatory comments about women who express their anger, as well as the fact we also put women's needs last.
Depression is a serious condition. To treat depression, you have to get professional help. The longer you wait the harder it becomes to overcome this disorder. If left untreated it could lead to thoughts of suicide. Men and women often have thoughts of suicide; but men are more likely to follow through with suicide. Therefore, it is important to intervene early.
How do you know if you or someone you love suffers from this disorder? Here is a list of signs.
„« Constantly feels emptiness, worthlessness, and hopelessness
„« Does not participate in normal activities, which are normally enjoyable.
„« Constantly has thoughts of suicide
„« Constantly moody and often short tempered with loved ones and coworkers.
„« Constantly oversleeps or has lack of sleep.
„« Declining social and career life.
If you know someone who suffers from these symptoms or if you suffer from these symptoms, get help now. It is important to seek professional help. If someone you love suffer from this disorder and you feel uncomfortable seeking help for him, seek the guidance of his or her family and friends. Together you can find a way to break through to him or help in time.
There are resources you can use to find help: look in your phone book for hot lines or the mental health association. The will have counselors that can help you or your friend get help. Good luck to you in your venture to stop the melancholy of depression.