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Depression
Recognizing Symptoms of Depression
- Feeling sad, empty or numb.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, and or/ worthless.
- Loss of interest, motivation or pleasures.
- Irritability or crankiness; constantly critical or complaining.
- Changes in appetite; unusual weight gain or loss.
- Changes in sleep patterns (trouble falling asleep, sleeping all the time).
- Fatigue, loss of energy.
- Physical slowing of speech, movements or thinking.
- Low self esteem and self confidence.
- Poor concentration or indecisiveness.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
- Increased behavioral problems (trouble at school, work, etc.)
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide plans, or attempts.
- Persistent physical problems (i.e.: neck/back pain, headaches, stomach aches, joint pain).
If you or someone you know are concerned about any of these symptoms, help is available and is the key to suicide prevention |
What is Depression
Depression is a medical illness, just like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. It is not the “blues.” Everyone at one time or another experiences the blues, these are normal feelings that pass with time. The feelings that are associated with depression last longer than a couple of weeks. If you or your friend suffers from depression you/they can’t talk themselves out of it…they can’t just “get over it”. You or your friend are not weak, you or your friend don’t have a character flaw. Having the illness of depression isn’t your fault or your friend’s fault. Depression affects the whole body. It affects your thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health, appearance. Depression affects all areas of your life (school, work, friends, sports, etc.) Depression can be treated successfully just like any other illness. There is HELP…there is HOPE.
What Causes Depression
Depression is triggered by a complex combination of genetic and psychological and environmental factors. Genetic means that in some families, depression is inherited, or passed down through genes. Psychological makeup has to do with personality traits, and environmental factors means life circumstances. The brain is an organ of the body just like the heart, liver and kidneys. If the neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) that regulate how a person thinks, feels and acts get out of balance, the brain can get “sick” and the result can be clinical depression. A bad or stressful event could trigger depression; however a person can also be born with depression. It can also appear out of nowhere, when everything is going fine, at a time, when there is no reason to get depression. DEPRESSION IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF!!
Adapted from SAVE “What to do Brochure” |
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Disclaimer: The diagnosis and treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders requires a trained medical professional. Information contained in this website reflects the opinions of With Hope Foundation, and is intended for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment of any mental/psychiatric disorders. Please consult a medical professional if the information here leads you to believe you or someone you know may be depressed.
"With Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention through improving
mental health support services and education in our schools and throughout our community."
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