Depression
What is depression? It is not just a temporary mood, and it's not a sign of personal weakness. Depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating or making decisions. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, vague aches and pains, headaches, and changes in weight or sleep patterns. For some, depression can include thoughts of death or suicide.
Anywhere and everywhere: at home, at work, or with
friends.
Someone with depression might think or say any of the
following:
"I feel sad all the time."
"I just don't feel like myself."
"I don't enjoy being with my friends or doing any of the things I usually love to do."
"I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately."
"I keep having aches and pains, and I don't know why."
"Sometimes I feel like my life is not worth living anymore."
Many people suffer in silence while depression slowly eats away at
their quality of life. Some are ashamed or afraid to seek help;
others try to downplay the severity of their symptoms. It's important
to remember that depression isn't something that's "all in your
head."
The fact is, depression affects plenty of people who don't have any obvious risk factors. What's more, those around the depressed person can be touched too, including family, friends, and co-workers.
