DISCLAIMER: I do accept e-mails and I will respond to them, but I am in no way a mental health professional and can not replace one. If you think you may be suffering from any medical depression, Please go see a doctor right away for professional advice!
New Email is : there4u78@kimberjones.com
Hi This page is for those who suffer from Clinical Depression and to help the ones to understand who know someone who has this Hidden Disease. Clinical Depression is one disease that is very misunderstood and I hope this page will bring some understanding to those who read this. Also, Feel free to sign the guestbook or start a discussing on the message board. Just ask, You look over any grammar or spelling mistakes. I am not a professional writer, either.
Let me first start out by explaning Clinical Depression by what I have learned by being diagnosed with it and by what I have reasearched. Depression is called the Hidden Disease, Due to it is a disease that can go untreated and undiagnosed for many years, if not for life. Everyone goes through depression some time in their life, but Clinical Depression and the other types are more serious. When a low mood doesn't go away after a few weeks, without any reason to be depressed, It is time to go seek professional help. It is the most painful, but also a common and treatable disease.
If you believe you or someone you know is affected by medical depression, you are far alone. One in four women and one in ten men can expect to develop this illness at some point in their lives, but at least 80% can now be treated successfully with medications, psychotherapy, or both.
You must first recognize the illness, in order to benefit from treatment. To recognize the illness you must know the symptoms. Which I will list and have another page (under the Links Section) to go in more detail of each symptom.
The symptoms of Clinical Depression varies from person to person, but for me I had all of the following symptoms. I believe the symptoms, of course, is what makes this hidden disease hard to live with. With medication I am on, it really helped the symptoms and now I only have a few of them. Life is more easier to live.
Here are the Symptoms:
- Change of Activity
- Appetite Changes
- Low, Blue Mood
- Change in Energy
- Feeling of Worthlessness
- Loss of Interest
- Change of Sleep pattern
- Change in Thoughts
- Thoughts of Death/Suicide
When Someone suffers from depression they will hear alot of myths about depression. And many people already believe in the myths thinking they are the truth. I have found out the hard way about this, for I was told many things like "it is all in your mind" and that is one of the worst things someone who suffers from a medical depression can hear.
Here is a list of well-known myths:
MYTH: Depression is nothing, but the blues.
REALITY: Clinical Depression is far more than the low mood that everyone experiences now and then, that passes after a visit from friends or a day in the park. Depression lasts for weeks, months or even years. While it lasts, it affects how you think and how you feel, both emotionally and physically.
MYTH: Depression isn't a serious Illness.
REALITY: This illness causes great suffering, not only for those who have it, but also for their family members, friends and coworkers. The consequences of untreated depression can include alcohol or drug abuse, family or work problems, and chronic disability. In the worst case, it can lead to suicide.
MYTH: Depression is all in your mind.
REALITY: Depression is considered a mood disorder, but that doesn't mean there are no physical correlates. In fact, recent studies of people with depression have found imbalances of certain chemicals in their brains. Anti-depressant medications act on chemical pathways in the brain that are related to mood.
MYTH: Depression is a character flaw.
REALITY: People who become depressed aren't weak or failures. They're just folks who have developed an illness -- one that is very common and highly treatable. Depression isn't a reflection on anyone's character.
You might know of someone who might be suffering from this illness, here are some questions that should be asked to decide rather or not this person will need help:
*Is this person in a depressed mood most of the time? For example, does this person often look as if he or she is about to cry?
*Has the person lost interest in most activities? For example, has the person recently given up a hobby he or she used to enjoy?
* Has the person gained a lot of weight in a short amount of time? Or has the person lost a lot of weight without going on a diet?
* Does the person frequently wake up too early and have trouble falling back asleep? Or does the person sleep more than normal?
* Is the person always pacing and fidgeting? Or does the person seem as if he or she is moving and talking in slow motion?
* Does the person often complain of being tired? Does the person take longer than usual to do simple tasks, such as dressing?
* Does the person blame him- or herself for everything that goes wrong? Does the person say things such as, "I'm no good"?
* Is the person unable to concentrate on reading a book or watching TV? Does the person have trouble remembering things?
* Does the person frequently talk about death and suicide? Does the person make statements such as, "I'd be better off dead"?
* Has the person been having trouble getting along at home, work, or school? Has the person's job or school performance dropped?
If you answered "yes" to one of the first two questions and several of the others, the person you know may be clinically depressed. Encourage the person to seek a professional evaluation. This is important both to rule out other causes for the symptoms and to get treatment if the source is indeed depression. However, people who are depressed may need help to get help. They may have a hard time thinking clearly and recognizing their own symptoms. Even when they do see the problems, they may feel too discouraged and hopeless to want to do anything about them. They may also feel as if they have no energy to try. That's where a concerned family member or friend can make a difference. Urge the person to get treatment as a way to ease the mental pain. If the person is severely depressed, take him or her for treatment. If the person seems suicidal, call for help immediately, and don't leave until help arrives.
More In Depth
Treatment of Depression
Ways To Help Someone Who Is Depressed
Best Things To Say To Someone Who Is Depressed
Worst Things To Say To Someone Who Is Depressed
What's It Like To Be Depressed? Exercises For The Non-Depressives
Things You Can Do To Help Yourself
My Story About My Depression
Uplifting Quotes
Links To Many Helpful Sites (Other depression sites for those who are depressed and the family members/ friends, Pages just for Teens, Hotline numbers and Uplifting pages. )
About the person behind this web page
Forum/Message Board
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