| Depression is a serious medical condition | | | | wrong with my bones or my joints, but the |
| that can affect anyone. Men, women and | | | | pains never seemed to go away. Now I know |
| children are all susceptible to this disease | | | | it was related to the depression." |
| which can have devastating effects on | | | | |
| someone's daily life. Depression can come on | | | | No one knows what exactly causes depression, |
| suddenly, for no reason, or it might follow a | | | | but some believe it might be caused by an |
| traumatic experience such as a death or some | | | | imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, |
| other traumatic experience. | | | | and in that instance you and your doctor |
| | | | might decide that you need to take |
| Symptoms of depression can interfere with a | | | | antidepressants. One form of depression |
| person's ability to work, sleep, study and | | | | called "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) |
| enjoy life in a fruitful way. If you find | | | | uses light therapy as treatment since it's |
| that these symptoms persist for more than a | | | | thought that a lack of sunlight during |
| few weeks you should discuss it with your | | | | certain times of the year could be a cause. |
| doctor. The symptoms to look for include: | | | | |
| sadness, irritability, no interest in hobbies | | | | If you think depression might be entering |
| and activities which once were loved, | | | | your life, don't wait to get help. There is |
| hopelessness, problems sleeping, fatigue, | | | | nothing wrong with asking questions and |
| thoughts of suicide or death, feelings of | | | | trying to get help. Many people are too |
| guilt and significant weight change. | | | | afraid or feel guilty about asking for help |
| | | | for depression. A lot of the world still |
| Once these symptoms start affecting the way | | | | thinks that depression is "just the blues" or |
| you live your life, it's time to seek help. | | | | just a person feeling down. Depression is a |
| M.I., who has had depression on and off for | | | | very real medical condition that is just as |
| many years says, "I never really knew what | | | | valid as having a broken bone that would need |
| was wrong with me. I would have these bouts | | | | to be treated. |
| with trying to cope with life, but all I | | | | |
| would end up doing is staying sad and crying | | | | "A reluctance to get help can lead to years |
| all the time. I couldn't see any way out of | | | | of disability and not having a good and happy |
| what I was dealing with in my life, but I'm | | | | life," says B.D., "I could have gotten help a |
| glad I hung in there. Being able to find | | | | long time ago, but I waited for about ten |
| out what was wrong with me and knowing that I | | | | years before taking action. I thought I |
| could get treatment for it changed my life." | | | | should have been a person strong enough to |
| | | | beat depression on my own. I sure wish I had |
| Depression an also affect the physical health | | | | made the move toward help instead of |
| of a person, which is a symptom that is often | | | | waiting." |
| overlooked. I. A., a depression sufferer | | | | |
| shares, "I would get these pains in my arms, | | | | Remember, depression is a treatable condition |
| shoulder and hands. My doctor told me that | | | | that can get better. You need to take the |
| he couldn't find anything wrong. Nothing | | | | steps to get the help you need. |