Depression

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:03PM

Some people have described depression as a heavy black curtain of despair that envelops their lives. Depression affects your life, and the lives of those around you. It can severely disrupt how you function, eat, sleep, and get along with others. Although most people who suffer from depression feel as though they are suffering alone, roughly 20% of the American population suffers from depression. Depression is a disease, and like any other disease, it can be treated and managed. Read on to learn more about depression and what you can do to get help.

Who Gets Depressed?

If you don't read anything else about depression, it's important for you to know this: Depression can affect anyone…young, old, male, female, rich and poor alike. As mentioned above, about 20% of the population suffers from depression.

Depression, age and gender

Women undergo many hormonal changes throughout their lives which make them twice as likely as men to get depressed. Puberty, menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth can all contribute to depression. Men, on the other hand, although they are less likely to become depressed, are also less likely to seek treatment when they do. Men are also more likely to mask the symptoms of depression with anger, violence, and substance abuse. Men are four times more likely than women to kill themselves when depressed.

Depression also becomes more likely with age as older people tend to be less physically active; they may be living alone, and may have to deal with physical illnesses. Many seniors are reluctant to seek help for depression as they fear their mental capacity will come into question, and some people may attribute the symptoms of depression to the normal aging process.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression comes in many forms and the symptoms may differ for each person. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your health care provider to determine if you are depressed and what course of treatment would be best for you. In general, the symptoms that help a health care professional identify depression include:

Overwhelming feelings of sadness, irritability or tension
A significant change in appetite with weight loss or gain
Loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable
Diminished energy
Constant exhaustion
Change in sleeping patterns
Restlessness
Diminished ability to concentrate
Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness
Thoughts of suicide

Classification of Depression

Depression is clinically considered either major or minor. People suffering from major depression, feel one or all of the above symptoms on a daily basis. Minor depression, or dysthymia, is slightly less severe. People who have this condition may feel mildly depressed on most days for extended periods of time.

Causes of Depression

There is no one single cause of depression. Most often, it is the result of a combination of events or circumstances. But whatever the cause, it’s important to remember that depression is not just in your mind. It’s related to physical changes in the body and brain that cause a chemical imbalance affecting the signals between the brain and nerves. Some common elements in the development of depression include:

Family History: Your depression may have a genetic root. Depression can run in families.
Trauma and Stress: Witnessing a traumatic event such as a car accident, a fire, or a death of a family member can have a profound effect on you, whether you realize it or not. And stressors such as money, relationships, work, and changes in your life, like graduating from school, can all cause you to become depressed.
Low Self-Esteem: People who have a pessimistic personality and a negative outlook on life have a greater risk of becoming depressed.
Illness or Medical Conditions: Serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and AIDS can play a role in the development of depression. A serious medical condition takes its toll physically, causing stress and weakness, as well as mentally. Depression can also be a side-effect of a medication used to treat another disorder.
Other Psychological Conditions: Eating disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse can all contribute to the development of depression.

Types of Depression

In addition to the major and minor classifications of depression, symptoms of depression can coexist with other mood disorders such as seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, and bipolar disorder.

Treatment of Depression

Depression can feel like a heavy cloud of sadness and hopelessness. But it’s a disease, and it can be treated. A combination of medications or therapy can make an enormous difference in the treatment of depression. Most patients, even those with severe depression show improvement after they seek treatment. After an evaluation, your health care provider can determine the best course of treatment for you, based on the pattern of your depression, its severity, persistence, and history.

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. Look for the product “Relaxyn” (a natural alternative to prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds) to be released in late 2006. For more information, please visit the Web's best resource on stress, anxiety and depression at www.stress-anxiety-depression.org or www.ghchealth.com.