Sunday 16 November 2014

Depression

Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.

Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide. When mild, people can be treated without medicines but when depression is moderate or severe they may need medication and professional talking treatments.

Depression is a disorder that can be reliably diagnosed and treated by non-specialists as part of primary health care. Specialist care is needed for a small proportion of individuals with complicated depression or those who do not respond to first-line treatments.

Levels of depression

Mild or no depression indicates that you are not suffering from depression or that what you are feeling are signs of depression within the normal range of human experience. 

Mild to Moderate Depression All of us are apt to experience at least mild to moderate levels of depression due to environmental or situation factors that are less than favorable. Feelings of depression from time to time are normal. What's most important is our ability to cope with that depression, resolve it's contributing factors and elevate our mood and thinking to a more positive state. Failure to resolve moderate depression can result in stress-related illness and interfere with sleep, work, family, and social functions.

It's best to get help or do whatever it takes to resolve feelings of depression as soon as possible, as left untended depression will build on itself and become deeper and harder to deal with.

Moderately Severe to Severe Depression should be treated as an illness and professional attention should be sought. Severe depression is a debilitating disorder that interferes with sleep, work, family, and social functions, leading to great impairment and isolation. Severe depression is treatable and treatment can help people lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Visit your mental health care professional to seek care.

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