Mike/NY
10-05-05, 01:09 AM
Depression often unseen, untreated
Thursday is National Depression Screening Day, an opportunity for people to get free assistance in determining if they suffer from a simple case of the "blues" or something more serious.
Mental health experts say, at any given time, a little under 10 percent of the adult population struggles with depression. It's nothing to be ashamed of, rather it is a treatable illness that affects men and women from all walks of life. Depression involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself and the way one thinks about things. It's not the same as a period of feeling "blue." Not does it mean a person is weak because he or she can't feel better on his or her own. In fact, people with a depressive illness cannot merely will the disorder away. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
According to www.athealth.com, most people never seek treatment for their depression, which is unfortunate because it can take a huge toll on their personal and professional lives. A variety of treatments, including medications and behavioral therapies, have become available, thanks to decades of research.
Some symptoms of depression include:
€ Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
€ Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
€ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
€ Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
€ Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
€ Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
€ Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
€ Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
€ Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
€ Restlessness, irritability
€ Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain As part of National Depression Screening Day, many mental health centers provide free testing and referrals to services. For more information, check out http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/ or call your local mental health care provider.
Thursday is National Depression Screening Day, an opportunity for people to get free assistance in determining if they suffer from a simple case of the "blues" or something more serious.
Mental health experts say, at any given time, a little under 10 percent of the adult population struggles with depression. It's nothing to be ashamed of, rather it is a treatable illness that affects men and women from all walks of life. Depression involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself and the way one thinks about things. It's not the same as a period of feeling "blue." Not does it mean a person is weak because he or she can't feel better on his or her own. In fact, people with a depressive illness cannot merely will the disorder away. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
According to www.athealth.com, most people never seek treatment for their depression, which is unfortunate because it can take a huge toll on their personal and professional lives. A variety of treatments, including medications and behavioral therapies, have become available, thanks to decades of research.
Some symptoms of depression include:
€ Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
€ Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
€ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
€ Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
€ Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
€ Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
€ Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
€ Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
€ Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
€ Restlessness, irritability
€ Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain As part of National Depression Screening Day, many mental health centers provide free testing and referrals to services. For more information, check out http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/ or call your local mental health care provider.