Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects men and women of all ages; it affects your general wellbeing and can affect things such as your eating, sleeping patterns. A depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. A depressive disorder involves the body, the thought patterns, the moods, people who are in this state.
 
You may at some stage in your life feel depressed or you have described yourself as being depressed because of a situation or a series of events that has occurred in your life that have made you feel low or you have felt overtime that your mood and emotions have changed noticeably which has caused you to feel depressed. Depression is experienced by many people of all ages, sex, etc. It is normal at a person at some stage in their life to feel depressed because of a situation or series of situations that has occurred and has lowered their feelings and perceptions.

For those who suffer depression for long lengthy periods for example 2 weeks or longer are in a clinical depressive state. This means he or she will need specific attention and help from a professional counselor or psychiatrist, he or she will be in a condition that they are unable to function at their normal social and physiological state.
 
Depression is not a sign of a person’s inability or personal weakness it is a mental disorder that can just about attack anyone, anytime. Some depression sufferers are more severe than others and it depends on the length and severity of that person that has encountered a change in their psychological and social behavior.

The World Health Organisation defines clinical depression as follows:

• Two weeks of an abnormal depressed mood
• loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Reduced energy, or feeling tired
• Loss of confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling guilty and unworthy
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or any suicidal/self-harming behaviour
• Reduced ability to think or concentrate
• Agitated or slow movements
• Disturbed sleep (not enough/too much/poor quality)
• Change in appetite (increase or decrease) with weight change
• Decreased libido
• Unexplained physical symptoms

Minor depression includes 2 of the first three symptoms and at least 2 others.
Moderate depression includes 2 of the first three symptoms and at least 4 others.
Severe depression includes all 3 of the first three symptoms and at least 5 others.

Other Types of Depression

Depressive disorders come in different forms. Three of the most common types of depression are Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar disorder. These common types of depressions are varied amongst individuals and are often manifested by a combination of symptoms triggering it.

The good news is depression is curable and can be managed properly without the need or the use of prescribed drugs.