Most people have felt sad or depressed one time or another. Feeling depressed is normal reaction to one’s loss, life's struggles, or self-esteem issues. But when you feel intense sadness with symptoms including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless that last for many days to weeks and keep you from functioning how you normally do, your depression could be something more than sadness. It could be clinical depression which is a treatable medical condition.
There are many causes and symptoms of depression. Many of the symptoms occur at the same time. There are also different types of depression such as major depressive disorder, Chronic-depression/dysthymia, bipolar disorder/manic depression, seasonal depression, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, double depression, secondary depression, chronic treatment-resistant depression, and masked depression.
Depression calls for a different lifestyle; if the depression isn’t treated the patient wouldn’t be able to enjoy life. Most people with depression go on with it untreated. Support and encouragement from friends and family to get treatment can help the patient overcome depression. Depression can affect all ages. Depression is more common found in women than men. More women go get treated than men, this may be why it’s noted that depression is commonly found in women. Depression increases the risk of suicide and several diseases such as Parkinson's, type II diabetes, and stroke. Depression usually occurs with other diseases such as anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, phobias, and eating disorders. Depression also can cause physical symptoms such as joint pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression help is out there, seek care from your health care provider. He/she will see your symptoms and give you treatment or refer you to a mental health professional.
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