MENTAL WELLNESS
DEPRESSION
Introduction
Depression is more widely experienced than most people
realise. It can range from mild short term depression,
to a deep long term depression that is completely debilitating
and can destroy ones life, business, career and relationships.
Depression involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It
affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one
feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things.
A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue
mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition
that can be willed or wished away.
For a quick guide to determine whether you may be suffering
from depression, take this quick quiz.
Quick Depression Quiz
- Do you feel sad or irritable?
- Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed?
- Have you experienced changes in weight or appetite?
- Do you have feelings of guilt?
- Are you unable to concentrate, remember things,
or make decisions?
- Have you experienced fatigue or loss of energy?
- Have you noticed any change in sleep habits; not
able to sleep, disruptive sleep, too much sleep?
- Have you experienced restlessness or decreased
activity noticed by others?
- Do you feel hopeless, or worthless?
- Have you had thoughts of suicide or death?
According to The National Mental Health Association,
5 or more yes answers indicates that you may be suffering
from clinical depression. This test cannot substitute
for a visit to a mental health professional. It is ONLY
meant to give you an idea where to start a dialogue
with your healthcare provider.
If any of these common signs of depression last for
more than two weeks, speak to your doctor.
Treatment for Depression
Don’t ignore the warning signs. Left untreated,
serious depression can lead to suicide. The suicide
rate is increasing in older adults, particularly in
older men living alone.
People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull
themselves together" and get better. Without treatment,
symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate
treatment, however, can help most people who suffer
from depression.
Depression in Women
Depression in the
Elderly
Further Help
There are many excellent organisations to help those
with depression.
USA
General Depression
National Institute
of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Mental Health
Association
Center for Mental
Health Services (CMHS) Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
National Foundation
for Depressive Illness, Inc.
Depression Related Disorders
Depression and Related
Affected Disorders Association
National Alliance
for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
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