mental health disorders
Depression
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression typically develop gradually over days or weeks and can vary greatly. For example, a person who is becoming depressed may appear sluggish and sad or irritable and anxious. Many people with depression cannot experience emotions—including grief, joy, and pleasure—in a normal way. The world may appear to have become colorless and lifeless. They lose interest or pleasure in activities that they used to enjoy. People with depression may be preoccupied with intense feelings of guilt and self-denigration and may not be able to concentrate. They may experience feelings of despair, loneliness, and worthlessness. They are often indecisive and withdrawn, feel helpless and hopeless, and think about death and Suicidal Behavior . Most people with depression have difficulty falling asleep and awaken repeatedly, particularly early in the morning. Some people with depression sleep more than usual. Poor appetite and weight loss may lead to emaciation, and in women, menstrual periods may stop. However, overeating and weight gain are common in people with mild depression. Some people with depression neglect personal hygiene or even their children, other loved ones, or pets. Some complain of having a physical illness, with various aches and pains. People with major depressive disorder are depressed most days for at least 2 weeks. They may appear miserable. Their eyes may be full of tears, their brows may be furrowed, and the corners of the mouth may be turned down. They may slump and avoid eye contact. They may hardly move, show little facial expression, and speak in a monotone. Depression involves more than feeling sad all the time: People may feel worthless and guilty, lose interest in their normal pleasures, have sleep issues, or lose or gain weight. People with persistent depressive disorder have been depressed for most of the time for 2 years or more. Symptoms begin gradually, often during adolescence, and may last for years or decades. How many symptoms are present at one time varies, and sometimes symptoms are less severe than those in major depression. People with this disorder may be gloomy, pessimistic, skeptical, humorless, and incapable of having fun. Some are passive, lack energy, and keep to themselves. Some constantly complain and are quick to criticize others and reproach themselves. They may be preoccupied with inadequacy, failure, and negative events, sometimes to the point of morbid enjoyment of their own failures. Severe symptoms occur before most menstrual periods and disappear after they end. Symptoms cause substantial distress and/or greatly interfere with functioning. Symptoms are similar to those of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) but are more severe, causing great distress and interfering with functioning at work and social interactions. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder may first appear any time after the first menstrual period. It may worsen as women approach menopause but ends after menopause. It occurs in about 3 to 8% of women who are menstruating. Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have mood swings, suddenly becoming sad and tearful. They are irritable and anger easily. They feel very depressed, hopeless, anxious, and on edge. They may feel overwhelmed or out of control. As with other types of depression, women with this disorder may lose interest in their usual activities, have difficulty concentrating, and feel tired and without energy. They may eat too much and crave certain foods. They may sleep too little or too much. Prolonged grief is persistent sadness following the loss of a loved one. It is different from depression in that the sadness relates specifically to the loss rather than the more general feelings of sadness and failure associated with depression. Prolonged grief is considered present when grief (as shown by persistent longing or yearning and/or preoccupation with the deceased) is long-lasting (at least 12 months), experienced a great deal of the time, and is deeper than what a person's culture considers typical. It also must be accompanied by 3 or more of the following for at least 1 month to a degree that causes distress or disability: Feeling of identity confusion (for example, feeling that part of oneself has died) Disbelief about the death Avoidance of reminders of the loss Intense emotional pain (for example, pain related to the death) Difficulty engaging in ongoing life Feelings of numbness Feelings of meaninglessness Intense loneliness Thoughts of death are among the most serious symptoms of depression. Many people with depression want to die or feel they are so worthless that they should die. As many as 15% of people with untreated depression end their life by Suicidal Behavior . A suicide threat is an emergency. When people threaten to kill themselves, a doctor may hospitalize them so that they can be supervised until treatment reduces the risk of suicide. The risk is especially high in the following situations: When depression is not treated or is inadequately treated When treatment is started (when people are becoming more active mentally and physically but their mood is still dark) When people have a significant anniversary When people alternate between depression and mania ( Bipolar Disorder ) When people feel very anxious When people are drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs In the weeks to months after people have attempted suicide, particularly if they used a violent method People with depression are more likely to use alcohol or illicit drugs in an attempt to help them sleep or feel less anxious. However, depression leads to Alcohol Use or other People are also more likely to smoke heavily and to neglect their health. Thus, the risk of developing or worsening other disorders, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) , is increased. Depression may reduce the immune system's ability to respond to foreign or dangerous invaders, such as microorganisms or cancer cells. As a result, people with depression may be more likely to get infections. Depression increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disorders (such as heart attacks) and stroke. The reason may be that depression causes certain physical changes that increase this risk. For example, the body produces more of the substances that help blood clot (clotting factors), and the heart is less able to change how fast it beats in response to different situations. 