What Is Depression

While it is completely normal to occasionally feel “blue” or to feel “down” after a major life event, such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or even excessive and repetitive stress from daily life or financial burdens, depression can settle in when you cannot rid yourself of the feeling. 

Some can experience feelings of hopelessness and sadness for weeks or even months and these feelings can begin to overtake and even dominate daily life leading to problems for those who suffer from depression. 

Chronic depression is a very serious condition that can become a vicious cycle that can be very difficult to break.

Contrary to the thoughts and beliefs of some, depression is not something that you can simply “stop being” or “just snap out of”. 

Depression is a serious medical disorder caused by an imbalance in chemicals in the body.  This condition is also known as clinical depression or even a major depressive disorder.  Depression occurs when feelings of hopelessness, sadness and despair grow to such a point that these feelings begin to completely invade and impact the daily life of those who suffer.  The symptoms of depression can be such that they impact one’s ability to hold a job or even enjoy family and social activities. 

Depression can affect all ages, including teens and the elderly.  Although known to be present in men as well, depression in men remains underreported and therefore under-treated.

Clinical depression in men may manifest itself more as anger and rage as opposed to quiet withdrawal.  It is thought that almost 16% of people suffer from depression at some time in their life but the real tragedy is not that they suffer but rather that they don’t seek the medical help that is needed to help provide relief from that depression. 

Although symptoms of depression vary from person to person, there are several things that are common to most of those who are suffering with depression.  Some people experiencing depression explain that they feel heaviness throughout, an inability to concentrate, irritability, a total lack of energy, feeling unmotivated and overwhelming sadness. These feelings last for quite sometime without relief. 

A tendency to run in families, a chemical imbalance in the mood-controlling neurotransmitters in the brain, medical conditions and even life experiences are all known causes of clinical depression.  It is important to remember that depression is medical condition and deserves to be treated.  It is however not a sigh of weakness or a sign of your inability to cope with stressful situations. 

Depression treatment varies widely and is based on each individual’s specific needs.  Treatment for depression includes talk therapy, meditation, exercise, stress reduction, and medication designed to improve sleep patterns and to restore chemical imbalances.  Most often it takes a combination of depression treatment options in order to be the most effective and it is critical to work closely with your healthcare provider in order to determine the best course of treatment for you. 

So you may ask, What is depression… and why me?  While there are no easy answers, depression does not have to control your life. 

Depression may be a part of your life today but it does not have to be a part of your tomorrows... you are not alone... begin treatment that can help you to regain your life.