Signs of Depression, Knowing When To Get Help.

Everyone has "been in the dumps," "felt the blues," and been pessimistic at some point in their lives. It's normal to feel these emotions but if they continue for a long period of time, they may be signs of depression. People are often angry because they are unhappy. If things continue to make a person feel unhappy for an extended period of time, it could lead to mild or major depression. There are three dimensions of depression. First is frequency. How often do you feel down or depressed? Second is severity of the depression. How bad is it? And third is duration. How long does it last?

Common physical signs of depression include changes in sleeping and eating pattern. Other signs of depression are fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, or other inexplicable aches and pains. It also affects behavior/attitude such as diminished interest and enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities-sex, sports, hobbies, going out with friends, etc. A person may also have difficulty concentrating or making decisions and neglect responsibilities and personal appearance. Emotional symptoms include feeling dejected, apathetic, apprehensive, guilty, pessimistic, irritable, hopeless, negative, empty, suicidal thoughts, and helplessness. Low self-esteem is common with depression.

People often ignore or misinterpret the signs of depression. Depression frequently goes undetected and untreated among the general population. Various scientific studies have shown decreased levels of hormones linked to depression. About 10-15% of depressive symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as Hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, Addison's Disease (adrenal fatigue), stroke, and dementia among others. A simple saliva test can be conducted to determine whether the adrenals are involved.

Depression afflicts approximately 19 million Americans, from children to the elderly, in all walks of life. depression in elderly may be difficult to detect since signs of depression are associated with aging rather than with depressive disorder. Teenage depression is more common than many realize. Serious emotional disturbances affect 1 in every 10 young people at any given time (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration). According to a new report on women and depression released by the American Psychological Association, "women are twice as likely as men to experience a major depressive episode." There are several different forms and stages of depression ranging from Seasonal Affective Disorder to cyclothymia. Signs of depression are not always definite so they are often ignored. Signs of depression are less severe in Dysthymia, a form of chronic depression that can have a corrosive effect on a person's life.