How is depression an illness?
481195
Therapy (and during desparation, drugs) will help the symptoms, but the root causes of depression have to be eliminated.\n\nI disagree with it being a brain diorder.  Your serotonin level depends on how good your life is going.  If you're going through a tough time, your serotonin is low.  Watching funny shows on TV and exercise allow you to make your own serotonin.\n\nThe best way to beat depression is to stay on a routine, betting up at the same time of day no matter what, have morning and bedtime rituals, and journal like crazy (I prefer notepad on my laptop.  Surround yourself with things that you feel are your identity.\n\nAbove all, stay around people.  What saved me was starting to hang around a church group.  And in them I found a ton of people to trust and feel comfortable around.  Gradually, my identity resurfaced, and I was back to my old self.
153528
DEPRESSED. All joking aside, I believe you can type "Medical Terminology" in the Yahoo Search bar. Medical Dictionaries have a word (or more) for every condition and everything.
1161725
Sounds more like an anxiety disorder with traits of depression.  \n\nSymptoms of depression include:\n-A persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood\n-Feelings of hopelessness\n-Feelings of guilt, wothlessness, helplessness\n-Loss of interest in activities which were once enjoyed\n-Decreased energy\nDifficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions\n-Insomnia or oversleeping\n-ppetite and/ or weight change\n-Thoughts of death or suicide\n-Restlessness, irritability\n\nAlthough you have some symptoms of depression, from the symptoms you have listed you do not have enough to be diagnosed with depression.  However, maybe you have some of the symptoms that you did not list.  Seek medical help if you believe you have depression.
652076
You absolutely do not have to suffer from chronic depression!  Antidepressant medications are a lot more sophisticated than they were years ago and have helped countless people regain their lives.\n\nTalk with a doctor and get a treatment plan started.  If your dr. won't listen to you then find another one.  Find one that will help you.  Get started TODAY.  If you had a broken foot you'd get medical help, right?  Depression is a medical condition...just like any other.\n\nAntidepressants usually take a couple weeks to kick in, although most people I know that are taking them say it didn't take that long.\n\nDon't believe that depression is something you just have to 'deal with'.  It isn't.  There is nothing wrong with seeking help and getting medication to make things better for yourself.\n\nGood luck!!!
1159969
When I was depressed (as a side effect of some medication I was on), I thought about horrible morbid things all the time and I just wanted to sleep a lot.  I didn't want to do anything and nothing made me happy.  It was really hard to force myself to do the things I had to do, like studying or going to work or even getting out of bed.  I also had no appetite.  Life felt pointless.\n\nSome people who are depressed have opposite symptoms, though: they can't sleep or want to eat all the time.  Some people also have anxiety or panic attacks along with depression, and some people have suicidal thoughts.  Depression typically lasts for an extended period of time, with more bad days than good.  If you think you have depression, and especially if you have had thoughts of suicide, please see a psychiatrist right away.
124531
Depression isn't funny, and most people don't understand it.  There is more than one type.  Everyone experiences some depression, but if you feel completely hopeless and lost and are considering ending your life, then you need to seek medical attention. The people around you aren't capable of fixing that kind of depression.  \n\nThings CAN get better. You just have to take the steps.
675948
I have been coming to realize that there can be many forms of depression, according to its physical causes. What i mean by this is, lets say, some people may feel depressed for having divorced parents,others for a chronic ilness, others for a great loss or others for aparenttly no reason. The key to the cure is to find the source of your depression,accept it and work with it. You will possibly need medical help. And yes,little things will make you sad because you already have a predesposition to feeling down if you are depressed; the feeling can be of despair too,if you're deeply depressed.\n If you're just an eternal discontent then i think there is no cure,but a deep depression is a lot worse. If you'd like you can add up details to your question and the answers will be more specific. Best wishes.
608166
The answer is both. Having flus or cold-like symptoms for long periods of time can make you depressed and run down. It also works the other way. Being depressed suppresses your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight off bacteria and viruses that cause colds and flu.\n\nIf you believe this may be the problem do your best to get in a little bit of excersize everyday, even when you don't feel like it. This helps with depression and colds. Also be sure you are getting proper nutrition. You need to eat nourishing things like chicken broth and vegetables in conjunction with taking a good multi-vitamen. Getting a good night's sleep is VERY important too. Your body just can't function correctly without good sleep. Sleep deprivation can be a cause of depression and cold symptoms.\n\nIf after trying this the situation does not improve you will want to see your doctor you may need stronger treatment to make a difference. Good luck. :)
993349
Depression is more than just the normal, temporary feelings of sadness and hopelessness associated with difficult life events. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression. Common symptoms include:\n\nDepressed mood. \nInability to enjoy activities. \nProblems concentrating. \nChanges in eating habits or appetite. \nWeight gain or weight loss. \nChanges in sleeping habits. \nDifficulty going to work or taking care of your daily responsibilities because of a lack of energy. \nFeelings of guilt and hopelessness; wondering if life is worth living (common). \nSlowed thoughts and speech. \nPreoccupation with thoughts of death or suicide. \nComplaints that have no physical cause (somatic complaints) such as headache and stomachache. \nAll of these symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. Even if you don't have major depression, if you have experienced a few of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks you may have a less severe form of depression that still requires treatment.\n\nHow is it treated?\n\nDepression is usually treated successfully with professional counseling, antidepressant medication, or a combination of the two. Often a combination of the two is most effective. People with depression usually can be treated as outpatients, but in severe cases a period of hospitalization may be necessary.\n\nIf you have mild or moderate depression, you may be diagnosed and treated by your family health professional and a therapist or psychologist. If you have severe depression or other psychological disorders or do not respond to treatment, a psychiatrist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, may be helpful.\n\nLet your health professional know if you suspect that you have depression, because it is often overlooked. If you are diagnosed with depression, you and your health professional can decide on the best treatment. The earlier you are treated, the more quickly you will recover. 1
128421
Exercise. Get plenty of fresh air and find someone or something that needs your help. I found wild orphaned animals and bike riding. Both are so important to my mental well being as I am very sick and my illnesses depress me. Once I started to focus on other things, like the animals or my exercise, I started to feel much better. I still get sad and even depressed but my friends and family know the signs now and they always find a way to get me through the bad spots. \n\nSometimes though, you just have to feel what you are feeling, then and only then can you move onward and upward!\n\nGoddess bless and good luck.
796670
Depression is a common condition, 15% of the population will suffer from clinical depression at some point in their lives.\n\nEverybody has periods where they feel low, or down. These are normal emotions, and appropriate after bad news, bereavement and so forth.   However, depression – the illness, is persistent, and help is required to recover. The difference with depression is when the unhappiness is without cause, or lasts much longer and is out of proportion to circumstances, or seems beyond the sufferers personal control to manage.\n\nDepression affects people differently.  Some are mildly affected – often known as dysthymia,  and manage to function despite their condition.  Others may be severely depressed and find it very difficult to carry out even the most basic tasks., such as washing and dressing.\n\nThere are also different types of depression, such as the episodes of depression, followed by elation in manic depression  (bipolar affective disorder, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and PND (post natal depression).\n\nSpike Milligan and Winston Churchill were two famous manic depressives.  Depression is not selective of class, status or upbringing.\n\nSYMPTOMS\n\nSymptoms are many, varied and not all sufferers will exhibit the same problems. They may include:\n\nContinual low mood\nFeeling of inadequacy\nFeeling “tearful” and “emotional”\nIrritability\nAnger / aggression\nAnxiety\nLack of motivation\nLack of social interest\nPoor personal care\nIrrational / guilty thoughts\nFeeling of hopelessness\nSuicidal thoughts\nTired all the time\nLoss of appetite / weight\nComfort eating\nInability to sleep\nDisturbed sleep\nLoss of concentration\nSleeping too much / not waking refreshed\nLoss of libido\nAvoiding people / social situations\nLack of energy\nFeeling physically ill\nExtreme lethargy\nBleak and pessimistic view of the future\n\nN.B. Anxiety and depression are closely linked. Anxiety can cause depression, and depression can cause anxiety.\n\n\n\nSO WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?\n\nDepression is a complex illness, and can occur for several reasons.\n\nIn a person suffering from depression, levels of neuro-transmitters are lowered. One of these is serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT).\n\nIt can be triggered as a result of a number of causes:\n\nSocial Circumstances\nUnemployment, divorce or break down of relationship, bereavement, redundancy, sudden/dramatic change to personal circumstances\n\nPhysical Conditions\n\nGlandular fever, influenza, anaemia, diseases such as multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis,  and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy\n\nHormonal Changes\nPregnancy, resulting in PND – about 10% of all women experience significant PND.  Depression presents more commonly in women (this may also be because men are more reluctant to visit their doctor)\n\nPsychological Conditions\nSufferers of anxiety may also find they develop depression. Unresolved psychological issues also contribute. About 60% of people suffering chronically with anxiety and panic will also develop associated depression.\n\nDrug and Alcohol Abuse\n\nWHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?\n\nEach sufferer is an individual, and treatments vary.  Many people combine treatments for optimum effect, i.e. medication and counselling. The preferred choice at present is SSRI’s along with CBT. The medication is to lift the mood enough to be able to take on board and learn skills needed to overcome the condition long term.\n\nThe first step is to visit your GP. They can confirm your diagnosis and ensure your depression does not have a physical cause.  You must be prepared to be honest with yourself and your GP. If you have some unresolved issues, medication alone will not provide a cure, and your GP can recommend you for  some form of therapy.\n\nTherapy\nThis may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or counselling.  All health authorities have a Community Mental Health Team, who will be able to select and provide appropriate trea
1174883
Clinical depression is a state of sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living. Although a low mood or state of dejection that does not affect functioning is often referred to as depression, clinical depression is a medical diagnosis and is different from the everyday meaning of "being depressed".\nStress (roughly the opposite of relaxation) is a medical term for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome, first described in 1936 by Hans Selye in the journal Nature.
949939
Because depression is an illness that cant be seen. If someone had a broken leg or no legs at all they would have some kind of empathy for them but people who suffer from deep depression dont have physical symtoms that people can see. Unless someone has experienced severe depression they should consider themselves blessed. It is hell.
792534
Well this could be both physical and emotional? Depression makes many stay in bed and very tired, but also low blood sugar, mono, ect. You need to make an apt. with your medical doctor so he/she can take blood work. This is the place to start. If you know you are depressed although, you can either talk to your medical doctor or you can speak to a professional about whats going on. I would speak to your medical doctor first and let him order blood work for you. It may be just that you like to sleep. Good Luck and please make an appointment with you doctor!
738462
Registered Nurse here; Hun you hit the nail on the head, you have the symptoms of depression.  Depression is a real illness, like cancer, diabetes, cardiac problems etc.  It doesn't have anything to do with wealth or fame.  Doesn't matter how many friends you have.  Regardless of how great your life may appear, depression occurs from within.  Since you wrote you often think of suicide, this is a Red Flag, you need some mental health help.  Something is wrong, your depressed.  Now you can turn this around, but probably not by yourself.  Well probably require a good psychiatrist, therapy, and possibly a medication regimen.  It is not your fault you feel this way, or have these thoughts, it's actually a chemical imbalance in the brain, that for whatever reason became a little unbalanced.  The great news is we have the tools and medication today to regain the balance.  But you have to do your part and this begins with making an appointment either with your personal care physician, or a mental health clinic, or psychiatrist/psychologist.  Thanks for allowing me to address this sensitive question.  Know your not alone, and you will get better.
543834
Mental Illness is a very misunderstood condition. Often the person suffering the condition has trouble understanding it, how can you expect people who have never experienced it to understand.\n\nMental Illness is about chemical imbalances in the brain. You cannot control the imbalance by 'positive thinking' or by behavioural modification. You generally need drug intervention to get you sorted out. The drugs are the equivelent of putting a broken leg in plaster.  \n\nThere is stigma attached to being mentally ill. But don't worry about it. Take your medications and find a support group in your local area. You will find it easier to cope with if you find one friend who understands.
48602
You need to see a doctor and be honest with your symptoms. In all likelyhood it is depression and the doctor can help with counseling and medications. Don't wait and think it will get better.