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Introduction |
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Types of Depression |
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The Cause? |
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Statistics |
Most everyone gets a case of the blues from time to time; it’s all part of being human. But if you feel sad, anxious or empty, or experience feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness that don’t go away for weeks at a stretch, you may be depressed. Clearly, depression has a variety of symptoms, yet the most prevalent is a feeling of deep sadness. Depression is a serious medical illness, not something you’ve made up in your head.
And if you are depressed, you are far from alone. In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million Americans suffer from some form of depression. Unfortunately, most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment. Many are unaware that they can be successfully treated with a combination of therapies. Others may be ashamed or worry about the reaction of family, friends and co-workers.
Types of Depression
Just as there are different forms of an illness like heart disease, so too are there are different types of depression. And even within these types, people experience a range of symptoms that can vary in severity and persistence.
Major depression, for example, involves a combination of symptoms that interfere with your ability to carry on with normal living. It’s hard to stay focused at work or school; you may not be able to sleep, your appetite may dwindle or increase, and you may no longer enjoy things that used to be pleasurable.
A milder type of depression called dysthymia involves long-term symptoms that don’t disable you, but subtly keep you from feeling well.
Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is yet another type of depression. Not nearly as prevalent as other types, bipolar is characterized by dramatic mood swings – severe highs and lows.
The Cause?
Some people become depressed because of deficiencies in brain chemicals. Others with low self-esteem who can easily become overwhelmed by stress or who tend to be pessimistic seem to be more vulnerable than others to depression. Likewise, depression tends to run in families.
Statistics
- The majority of people with a depressive illness do NOT seek treatment, although most, even those who are severely depressed, can be helped.
- Women express depression about twice as often as men. In many cases, hormonal changes are to blame, particularly tied in with a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
- Although men are less likely to suffer depression than women, 3 to 4 million men in the U.S. are impacted. Often, men’s depression is masked by alcohol or drugs or by working excessively.
- Depression is not a normal part of aging, though most people assume so. Older people, however, are often reluctant to discuss their feelings of sadness, hopelessness or loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities.
Related Articles:
- About Depression
- Depression Current Trends
- Depression: Your Options
- Depression: How Social Workers Help
- Depression Tip Sheets
- Resources for Depression
- Depression Real Life Stories
