Everyone can feel sad, particularly when faced with loss or grief. Depression, however, is more than low mood and sadness at a loss. It is a serious medical illness. It is the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The sufferer feels extremely sad, dejected and unmotivated.
One in four women and one in six men suffer from depression at some time in their life. Only about 20 per cent of people are correctly diagnosed, because depression can mask itself as a physical illness (like chronic pain, sleeplessness or fatigue).
A combination of factors
Depression results from a combination of physical and psychological factors, which cause chemical imbalances in the brain. Diagnosis in every case needs a careful analysis of causes.
If you feel you may have depression or if you notice family or friends going through the changes of depression then seek medical help. It is a serious illness with serious consequences untreated.
Some of the symptoms of depression can include:
* Feeling sad or depressed
* A loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities
* Loss of appetite or weight
* Inability to get to sleep or waking up early
* Feeling tired all the time
* Having trouble concentrating
* Feeling restless, agitated, worthless or guilty
* Feeling that life isn’t worth living.