Depression
goodtoknow says: Depression is a common illness and very treatable. It's not a sign of weakness and it's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, around 2 in 3 adults suffer from depression at some point in their life. Common symptoms of depression include weepiness, feeling useless, sleep problems and poor concentration. These feelings range in severity from mild, when you can still cope with normal life, to severe. But the good news is there are many effective treatments for depression including anti-depressants, counselling, exercise, and complementary therapies. There's no need to suffer in silence.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of depression from patient.co.uk, read on.
Depression is common. Symptoms can affect day-to-day life and can become very distressing. Treatments include talking treatments and antidepressant medicines. Treatment takes time to work but has a good chance of success. Some people have recurring episodes of depression and require long-term treatment to keep symptoms away.
What is depression?
The word depressed is a common everyday word. People might say "I'm depressed" when in fact they mean "I'm fed up because I've had a row, or failed an exam, or lost my job" etc. These ups and downs of life are common and normal. Most people recover quite quickly.
With true depression, you have a low mood and other symptoms each day for at least two weeks. Symptoms can also become severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities.
More on depression
- Who gets depression?
- Why depression can be hereditary
- Read in-depth information on SAD
- Tips on coping with depression
- Foods to help you sleep
- Have you suffered from depression? Share your experiences
- Next: Who gets depression?
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Where to next?
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Post-natal depression
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What are the treatment options for depression?
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What are the treatment options for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)?
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Depression: Help and advice
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More about light therapy for SAD
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Seasonal affective disorder and how to fight it
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Some particular features of SAD
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Under the microscope: Depression
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What are the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
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What is seasonal affective disorder?
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Who gets Seasonal Affective Disorder?
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Tooti, about 1 year
Thank you for the article! It would be really good if this "ashamed " image of admitting that you are deppressed will fade away. I always think thati should go to consult someone about my problems, but everyone around me is like: "why would you do that ? you are not mentally ill! " I hope this embarrasement wall can be demolished from our society. Thanks Agian!
Report this commentjill, over 2 years
why do most people still see depression as a weakness? i would thankfully 'bin' it if i could & so would my friends who suffer with it & yes we SUFFER!! thanks for the article i don't feel so isolated now.
Report this commentLynda bates, over 2 years
hi. i wish people who dont understand depresion wouldnt say 'im depresed' because its unfair on those of us who are realy depressed. this a really good article. thanks!!!
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sheila, 9 months
being depressed sucks, folks say o pull ur self together it aint that bad, mayb not to them, mean every one has a bad day from time to time but when ur depressed its 24/7 it a night mare n u cant c a way out OF
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