Everyone experiences periods of sadness and anxiety from time to time, but severe melancholy, isolation, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide should be considered signs of clinical depression. This emotional disorder may be common, but most people do not fully understand depression. With this guide, you will learn a few surprising facts about depression that may help you or a family member.
Depression Can Affect Anyone
Due to the different hormonal imbalances, women are more likely to develop depression than men. However, depression can affect women and men of all different ages.
While surprising to learn, depression can even affect young children. Recent studies have shown 2 to 3 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 have depression. In addition, an estimated 6 to 8 percent of teenagers suffer from the condition.
Children with parents who are depressed will also have a high risk of developing depression.
The Symptoms of Depression Vary
Most people feel they know the signs, but each type of depression displays different signs. Also, every individual is different, so one person's symptoms may be different than another patient.
Major depression is the most common form of the disorder. In most, not all, cases, a person with major depression will deal with intense sadness, feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt, and irritability.
Some individuals with major depression may not be able to sleep at all while others will sleep too much. Differences in appetite may also vary according to the person. Some patients with depression will lose their appetite completely while others will begin binge eating as a way to cope.
Anti-Depressants May Not Help
In many cases, doctors will prescribe antidepressant medications to treat depression. Most patients will experience some uncomfortable side effects that include weight gain, acne, mood swings, nausea, constipation, and blurred vision.
For some, the medications will work effectively without any uncomfortable side effects. Unfortunately, half of the patients taking prescription anti-depressants do not show any improvement in their depression.
Thankfully, medications are not the only solution available to treat depression. Counseling has been proven effective for boosting a patient's mood. Of course, the total effectiveness of counseling will depend on the patient's specific condition and their desire to improve. Also, ongoing sessions with a licensed psychiatrist will be necessary to treat depression.
Proper understanding is essential to diagnosing and treating depression. By understanding these surprising facts, you will have a better understanding of depression's causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Contact a counseling center, like Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group PC, for more help.
Share9 August 2017
I suffered depression for much of my life, and I lived with it for years before seeking help. I visited a psychiatrist and received an antidepressant prescription along with a referral to a counselor. I filled my prescription, but I put off making an appointment with the counselor. The medication began to help, so I decided that I didn't need to see a counselor after all -- or so I thought at the time. After a couple of months of medication, a close friend of mine died of an illness. I then learned that even though the medication helped my depression, I still had not learned the coping skills I needed to deal with traumatic life experiences. That even motivated me to seek counseling, and it helped me immensely. I created this blog to remind others that medication can help when suffering with depression, but counseling is also extremely important.