Mental Health
If you have signs of it, seek treatment.
Depression is more than just having a bad day. It’s a constant feeling of sadness or anger, inability to concentrate, and lack of interest in anything. Unlike diabetes, a blood test may not be able to detect depression, but it is a medical illness, just the same. It should be diagnosed and treated by a health professional. Over 80 percent of people with depression can be treated with success. Treatment includes medication, counseling, and self-care measures.
Causes:
The exact cause of depression is not known. Most likely, it is caused and triggered by a combination of factors.
* Brain chemicals are not in balance.
* Having a family history of the illness
* Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss
* Physical or mental abuse or neglect
* Alcohol or drug abuse
* Medical conditions, such as cancer or chronic pain
* A side effect or withdrawal of some medications, such as steroids
* Sleeping problems
* Hormone changes, such as after having a baby or with menopause
Signs & Symptoms:
* Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, or angry
* Fatigue. Loss of interest in life.
* Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
* Feeling worried or anxious
* Changes in eating and sleeping habits
* Headaches, stomachaches or other aches and pains
* Thoughts of suicide or death
To a depressed person, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Action Step
See your doctor if you have had a lot less interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine