Depression

Although we all feel sad sometimes, clinical (major) depression is diagnosed when a person experiences depressed mood (sadness), loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, plus 5 of the following symptoms for at least 2 weeks: changes in appetite or weight slowed reactions lack of motivation or energy insomnia (trouble sleeping) or chronic oversleeping noticeable changes in activity level (agitated or slowed down) feelings of worthlessness or guilt difficulty concentrating or making decisions recurring thoughts of death or suicide Clinical depression may vary in its severity, and in its extreme forms (i.

Identifying the signs of depression and when you should seek treatment.

Learn more about how depression can impact your finances and health.

A person who is at risk of committing suicide usually shows signs - whether consciously or unconsciously - that something is wrong.

Depression is a medical condition characterized by long-lasting feelings of intense sadness and hopelessness coupled with additional mental and physical changes. The condition often affects a person's personal, social, and professional life. About one in 5 women and one in 10 men will suffer from depression at some point in life.

It is common to experience depressed moods or "the blues" at some points in life. Most often, these periods of sadness occur as a result of a life change. These changes may be in the form of a personal setback or a loss, such as the death of a loved one. The painful feelings that accompany these periods are usually temporary and should be viewed as normal parts of living.

There are several different types of depression, and the diagnosis is mostly determined by the nature and intensity of the mental and physical symptoms, the duration of the symptoms, and the specific cause of the symptoms, if that is known. Clinical depression (or major depressive disorder, MDD) is the most serious type of depression, in terms of the number and severity of symptoms, but there are significant individual differences in the symptoms and severity.

Depression is caused by imbalances of the chemicals that help to send messages in the brain. These chemicals in our brain also help to regulate our emotions, behaviour, and thinking. Depression is not the result of personal weakness or an inability to cope. Depression has a strong genetic component (i.

Triggers of depression include: difficult or traumatic life changes (such as losing a loved one) medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, low thyroid, stroke, chronic pain, and some types of cancer use of certain medications, including corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, narcotics, benzo...

These tips will help you reduce the chance of a recurrence of depression.

Learn more about common myths and facts about depression.

Learn about the risk factors for depression.

Learn more about the risks and symptoms of depression in children and teens.

How depression may affect you during pregnancy and your treatment options.

Postpartum depression is more than just mild baby blues. It is a form of depression that affects about 10% to 20% of new mothers.

Check out 6 tips for dealing with holiday blues.

Depression is a disabling illness that affects about 15% to 25% of cancer patients. It equally affects men and women with cancer.

How does depression affect seniors and what are the treatment options?

Condition Depression Condition description Depression is a medical condition characterized by long-lasting feelings of intense sadness and hopelessness associated with additional mental and physical changes, such as weight loss or gain, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping. First visit to the doctor To determine whether you have depression, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, when they started, and how they are affecting your life and your ability to function.

The most common treatment for depression is a combination of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. Other individuals seek treatment in complementary and alternative medicine. Antidepressant medications Antidepressants successfully elevate mood in 60% to 80% of people who use them as directed.

Finding the right therapist for you.

Depression related medications

Prozac®, cognitive-behavioural therapy, Zoloft®, psychoanalysis, Paxil®...these are just a handful of the dozens of options out there for treating depression. In fact, there are so many medication options and psychotherapy styles, finding the right approach may seem so daunting you just want to bury your head in the sand.

Why talking with others is an important part of treating depression.

People with depression often frustrate and alienate those around them. Not surprisingly, family members and friends often are unclear as to what they can do to help someone who is depressed. The following do's and don'ts may be helpful: Do: Remind yourself that the depressed person is ill, and they are not responsible for actions or inactions that you or others find frustrating.

These tips will help you live and cope with depression.

Using positive thinking to improve your mood.

Learn some relaxation strategies to help you feel better.

Discover some of the little things you can do to relax and take it easy.

How a healthy diet can improve your mood.

The food we eat can affect the way we feel, act, and think. Find out which foods and nutrients are best for your brain.

Find out how food can be one of your best stress-busting allies.

If winter, and the holiday season in particular, get you down or cause you to feel depressed - take heart. A clinical study showed that exercise is as effective as medication at beating the blues. The 10-month study, conducted at Duke University Medical centre, Durham, North Carolina, assessed 156 adult patients who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD).

It's that time of year again, with nothing to look forward to but gloomy grey skies, bone-chilling weather, and piles of snow. Learn 5 ways to beat the winter blues.

depression and smoking, depression quit smoking, depression and nicotine

What you can do to prevent weight gain when you're feeling down.

Why do we cry? Does shedding a tear or two lift our spirits or make us feel even worse? These and other tearful tales will be told.