Depression Can Be Considered the \"Common Cold\"

Depression can be considered the "common cold" of psychological disorders. This expression describes its pervasiveness, but definitely not its seriousness. Depression is considered a mood disorder, which is a psychological disorder, characterized by emotional extremes. Studies have shown that depression is the number one reason people seek mental health services. Depression is often a response to past and current loss. It is a sort of psychic hibernation: it slows people down, avoids attracting predators, and evokes support. There are normal downs that people have, such as feeling bad in reaction to profoundly sad events. However, when individuals persist with their feelings of depression and the response becomes more serious, the line may be difficult to draw between normal feelings of sadness and a depressive disorder. Understanding depression is important; therefore, the following will be discussed: symptoms of depression, types of depression, reasons why people may get depression, and ways to get help.

An individual, experiencing signs of depression, may vary in their individual symptoms as compared to others. All individuals are not alike. Depressive symptoms may be those such as feeling deeply discouraged about the future, dissatisfied with life, or feeling isolated from others. In addition, individuals may lack the energy to get things done or the energy to get themselves out of bed. They may be unable to concentrate, eat or sleep normally. Some may even wonder if they would be better off dead.

There are different types of depression. They are dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, manic episode, and bipolar disorder. First of all, dysthymic disorder is a down in the dumps mood that fills most of the day, nearly every day, for two years or more. Secondly, major depressive disorder occurs when signs of depression (including lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, or loss of interest in family, friends and activities) last two weeks or more without any particular or notable cause. To get a sense of what this might feel like, imagine combining the anguish of grief with the sluggishness of jet lag. Thirdly, manic episode is when individuals experience symptoms of euphoria, hyperactivity, and are wildly optimistic. Mania can be compared to running on fast forward. Fourthly, bipolar disorder is an alternation between depression and mania symptoms. When a person is in a manic phase of the bipolar disorder they are usually over talkative, overactive, and elated, yet easily irritated if crossed at the wrong time. In addition, persons with bipolar may have little need for sleep and show few sexual inhibitions. They are also loud, flighty, and hard to interrupt.

People may get depressed for different reasons, unique to the individual. Depression may come about preceding stressful events, related to work, marriage, children or close relationships. A family member's death, a job loss, a marital crisis, a disagreement or a physical assault increase one's risk of depression. The early loss of a parent due to death or separation also increases later vulnerability to depression, by children. Loneliness, awareness that one's social relationships are deficient, is a contributor to depression, as well. Also, women are twice more likely than men to get depressed. Women are more vulnerable to passive disorders such as depression. They tend to internalize things. Some people may get depression due to genetics. A family member may have been depressed leaving them vulnerable to the disorder, especially if immediate family members experienced depression.

Help for depression is right around the corner. People who have depression can seek counseling to help subside the viscous cycle of depression. Individuals can attend counseling either individually and/or as a family. It is important to seek the services of a professional, such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist early on, so that, if successful, they may help the individual get through their debilitating symptoms. Some individuals may use medications, for example, anti-depressive medications, to help them along with their recovery of their disorder; however, medication is not a means to an end. If a person chooses to be on medication, at their doctor's recommendation, the best possible treatment is taking the medication along with receiving therapeutic counseling services. One without the other will not work as well as they will together. In addition, the help and support of family members and friends for individuals with depression is important throughout the process of recuperation. Help is out there, for the taking. People experiencing symptoms of depression must take the first step in asking for help. Once the individuals seek help, they must follow-through, in order to allow the healing to begin.