Under the Weather Emotionally?

So many people, including the younger generation suffer from some type of mental illness or depression. Being clinically depressed is not a temporary case of the blues. It is something much more serious if left untreated. Episodes of depression can last a few hours, a few weeks or even longer like a few months.

A person is considered clinically depressed if they exhibit at least five of these symptoms over a period of at least two weeks.
1. depressed mood
2. change in appetite or weight
3. loss of interest in things that were once fun
4. change in sleeping patterns
5. decreased sex drive
6. moving at an unusual pace or speaking at a faster pace or slower pace
7. fatigue or loss of energy
8. feelings of worthlessness or guilt
9. unable to concentrate
10. thoughts of death or suicide
11. anxiety
12. isolation
13. drug or alcohol abuse
14. history of physical or emotional illness

In some cases, depression that is left untreated can lead to suicide. One way to prevent suicide is to recognize the signs early and get treatment for the issues. The highest rate of suicide is in the age range of 45-54 and males are more likely than females to commit suicide. Women attempt suicide twice as much as men but men succeed more often. Women attempt suicide more often than men possibly because of mood disorders. Women have an elevated rate of mood disorders and are usually more affected by seasonal affective disorder than men.

Women suffer depression twice as much as men do. The highest rate of suicide is due to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as clinical depression. The risk for suicide is highest among the schizophrenic population.

Only one out of every three people dealing with depression will get help. You cannot force someone to get help, you can only encourage it. Some warning signs that should be watched are:

low moods
pessimism
hopelessness
desperation
anxiety
withdrawal
addictive behaviors
giving away their stuff
buying a gun or many drugs
rage and anger