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