About Depression

What is Depression?

Depression affects the Whole Person. Serious depressions are "whole body" disorders, affecting body, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. They are not the temporary blues or the passing sad moods that everyone experiences after a loss. Depression sometimes can disable a person.

Depressive illnesses involve a set of painful symptoms that can last for months, sometimes years. They change people. Sometimes symptoms are so disabling that they interfere with the ability to function. Some who suffer severe forms of depression are unable to eat or get out of bed. An estimated 15 percent of people hospitalized for depression eventually take their own lives.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Symptoms of depression can include: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex Restlessness, irritability , or excessive crying Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning awakening Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling " slowed down" Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.

Are there different forms of depression?

Depression can occur more than once. Some people have one episode of depression in a lifetime; many have recurrent episodes. Others have ongoing, chronic symptoms. Depression can involve mood cycles. Almost two million people experience cycles of terrible "lows" and inappropriate "highs." This emotional roller coaster is called "bipolar disorder" or "manic-depressive illness." This material was created by the National Institutes of Health.




On the various sections of this site, we have provided detailed descriptions of the various conditions and treatment methods for anxiety and panic disorder, depression, phobia, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).


You are not alone. Our support group can help you learn and use many coping techniques you can learn and use and provide you valuable information and support. Feel free to contact us for additional information.