Depression is a normal emotion that comes and goes with life. It is a chemical release in the brain known as dopemine that is probably responsible for the emotion depression.
When someone dies or we lose our job, we may feel periods of sadness. That is depression. Sometimes we move away from friends and family and that may cause depression. Various circumstances that are disappointing in nature, may cause us to feel depression. Sometimes financial problems or family arguements leading to anger may cause depression. This feeling of sadness will normally pass and the individual can ususally function despite the depression.
However, when depression becomes persistent and is constant, it is clinical depression. Medications and talk therapy may be necessary for the individual to overcome or manage the depression. When this clinical depression occurs, individuals are usually physically and mentally debilitated by the brain disorder.
The daily routine of the individual suffering from depression is interrupted. Clinical depression drains your body of potassium and that contributes to low energy. Clinical depression affects your muscles and that causes aches and pains. It is no wonder most people suffering from untreated clinical depression lay around in bed while the housework builds up and he or she has no interest in grooming or eating.
In addition, clinical depression may bring on persistent thoughts of hopelessness and thoughts of suicide. An individual's self-esteem may be very low during this time. This is why it is crucial to seek treatment if you or a loved one suffers from clinical depression.
Some symptoms to look out for are: eating disorders, sleep disorder, no interest in normal things such as television, work, activities, appearance, suicidal expressions, poor judgment, and withdrawal from family.
If you suspect that you or a loved one suffers from depression, discuss it with your healchare provider, pastor, or reach out to resource organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Another important point is that even while taking medicine and seeking treatment for clinical depression, there still may be periods in your life when you feel depressed. That is because depression is a normal feeling that everybody experiences from time to time. So, do not panic when depression occurs and feel like your medications are not working. Continue all medications as prescribed.
Understand that the sadness will pass. Talk to a close friend or family member about something that is seriously worrying you. You can usually identify what that serious worry is because it will nag you. It will be the last thing you are thinking about before you drift off to sleep and the first thing on your mind when you wake up. A therapist or friend or family member can help you talk through it.
Also, exercise and diet are important, too, and if you have a hobby or special interest such as writing, you may want to spend a little more time with your craft while you work through the sadness. As much as you can, do not give in to depression simply because it is a lable. It will come to pass.
Lastly, the most important thing to remember is that treatment is available to individuals suffering from depression. When one person hurts from the affects of depression, the entire family hurts.
Agnes B. Levine
Author of: "Cooling Well Water: A Collection of Work By an African-American Bipolar Woman"
Levine-Oliver Publisher is the exclusive publisher of Swaggie's Voice at
http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com. Vote for Swaggie's Voice today as Professional Blogger of the Year at:
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Posted By: agnes levine
Thursday, October 2nd 2008 at 12:27PM
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