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Related Depression Articles:
Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw?
The NMHA survey shows a major shift in public opinion in the last decade about the cause of depression. A majority (55 percent) of those polled who have never been diagnosed with depression symptoms understand depression is a disease, and not "a state of mind that a person can snap out of." In 1991, only 38 percent recognized depression as an illness.
25% of Americans Suffer From a Mental Illness and do Not Get Adequate Relief From Antidepressants
In the once-a-decade report funded by the National Institutes of Health(NIH), researchers found that one-quarter of Americans had a psychiatric disorder in the year prior to the survey, and 40% of them sought treatment, up from just 25% who sought treatment in the previous report a decade ago.
Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students
Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood, Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, Loss of interest or enjoyment in things that used to be fun, Decreased energy, fatigue, Restlessness, irritability, Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions, Trouble sleeping, or oversleeping, Appetite or weight changes, Thoughts of suicide
Depression Information Article:
Major Depression and Its Serious Complications
Those who ignore and don't do anything run the risk of developing the serious complications of depression. Like any medical disorder, untreated clinical depression has its hazards.
What are some of the complications of clinical depression? How serious are they?
Suicidality
Without treatment, some depressed individuals feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. Subsequently, thoughts about death occur. They sometimes feel that they are better off dead than alive. As the illness worsens, suicidal thoughts and behavior gradually ensue.
Homicidal Behavior
Although rare, homicidal behavior can happen to someone with significant level of depression. In fact, a few high profile cases in the media had point to some cases of clinical depression and homicide. Severe depression can result in impaired judgment, making these depressed individuals vulnerable to cause harm.
Psychosis
Clinical depression likewise causes disturbances in perception and thinking. Some individuals with severe depression experience auditory hallucinations ("hearing voices") and delusions (false fixed beliefs). Hallucinations can manifest as inappropriate commands telling the person to do certain things such as to harm oneself or others. Delusions can range from suspiciousness to bizarre beliefs such as the thought that the person is the "Anointed One."
Functional Impairment
It's very common for depressed individuals to develop lack of energy and loss of interest to do their usual activities. These individuals can hardly do their usual chores, prefer to isolate themselves from everyone, and stay in bed the whole day. Work absences, financial problems, and job losses may be the inevitable end result.
Relationship Problems
Due to ongoing behavioral and thought disturbances, some family members don't understand what is going on. Fights, ridicule, name-calling, and arguments between spouses or among family members can happen. As the relationship becomes more strained, the individual becomes more distant from friends and relatives. It is not uncommon to see unsupportive spouses, parents, and children during these difficult times.
In summary, clinical depression has fatal consequences. Ignoring it is too risky. Doing nothing about it is a grave mistake. Early recognition and treatment is the only way to prevent its unwanted complications.
Copyright © 2005. Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (First Aid to Mental Illness-Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An Emotional Intelligence or EQ Game. For more information, visit www.oikosgame.com and www.soardime.com
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