Saturday, April 22, 2006
5:27 PM;
WHAT IS A DEPRESSIVE DISORDER?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
.Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
.Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
.Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
.Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
.Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
.Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
.Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
.Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
.Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
.Restlessness, irritability
.Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
info from NIMH (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm)
Depression
Everyone feels a bit low sometimes - it's the mental health equivalent of the common cold. But for some people it's much more serious, paralysing their ability to get on with life.
What are the symptoms?
.Variation of mood during the day. It's often worse in the morning, improving as the day goes on - but the pattern can be the other way around.
.Disturbed sleep, usually waking early and being unable to get back to sleep. This is often because of the negative thoughts racing through their heads.
.A general slowing down of thought, speech and movement.
.Feelings of anxiety.
.Tearfulness for no reason.
.Short temper.
.Lack of energy and constant exhaustion.
.Inability to enjoy things.
.Lack of concentration.
.Difficulty making decisions.
.Feeling that you're forgetful.
.Negative thoughts about the future.
.Feelings of guilt.
.Loss of identity.
.Blaming self and low self-esteem.
.Feelings of hopelessness and despair.
.Unrealistic sense of failure.
.Loneliness, even when around others.
.Becoming preoccupied with illness.
.Loss of appetite and resulting loss of weight.
info from BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/disorders_depression.shtml)
no one.
she's someone in your life
she's someone you love <3
she'll go nasty if you make her cry.
libra