Depression Knowledge - Symptoms

A great number of people suffer from depression. About two percent of the population gets depressed each year, some to the point of needing some serious medical attention. Most people experience mild depression and not even notice it for they lack the knowledge. What they don't know is that depression is a disease that could eventually kill if not controlled. That's why it's important that we have enough depression knowledge and that we are aware of its symptoms so we'll be able to recognize them when they manifest.

Depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by low mood, low self-esteem and a loss of interest in normal day to day activities. It's a condition that affects one's family, work or school, sleeping and eating habits and health. The causes are most frequently identified but sometimes symptoms just develop without obvious causes.

People who suffer from depression usually exhibit a very low mood that disallows them to take pleasure in activities that they previously enjoyed. They may be disturbed by nagging feelings of worthlessness, guilt, regret, helplessness, hopelessness and self-hatred. In some cases, some people suffer from psychosis that may include delusions, hallucinations and thoughts of suicide.

Other symptoms include poor concentration and memory, and withdrawal from social activities. Their appetite decreases that result to weight loss, although in some cases there is an increase in appetite that result to weight gain. They become agitated or lethargic.

Insomnia is another common symptom. They often suffer from disturbed sleep, waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep. Hypersomnia or oversleeping may be another symptom. Some may suffer from physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches and some digestive problems.

Mood swings that sometimes become violently abnormal can also happen. One minute they're laughing and smiling, the next minute they could be irritable and angry. Moods could change violently in just one day.

If depression is ignored or underestimated, it could lead to suicide, substance abuse and alcoholism. It could also cause anxiety and certain health problems like diabetes and heart diseases.

The causes are often attributed to biological, psychological and social factors. Depression can be hereditary. But most of time it is brought about by a stressful event, a loss or failure.

Depression could last from a few days to several months. But if depression lasts longer than two weeks without improvement, treatment is recommended before the condition gets worse. If the depressed person could no longer cope or if the depression is so severe that there is a great risk of suicide, you need to consult a specialist.

Possible treatments could include psychotherapy such as counseling, anti-depressants and electroconvulsive therapy which is often used as a last resort.

But treatment could also be done at home. Encouragement and support from relatives and loved ones are often vital to a depressed person's survival. Physical exercise is also said to have beneficial effects on depression. Substantial depression knowledge is important to our understanding of the disease. It's a disease that should not be underestimated, ignored or toyed with or else the consequences could be dire.