Changes

''The term '''depression''' can also refer to a period of economic downturn, such as the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s.''

''The term '''depression''' can also refer to a period of economic downturn, such as the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s.''

'''Depression''' means feeling [[sad]] or [[melancholic]] for a long time and losing in interest in activities that are usually enjoyable.

'''Depression''' is a mental illness <ref> "Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning.  Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness. Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study.  New York: The Free Press.</ref> that affects approxiamtely 10% of people.

Mental health professionals claim that depression is a [[mental illness]],<ref> "Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness. Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.</ref> identified by the following primary [[symptom]]s:  

The feeling of depression is something that many poeple experience from time to time <ref>http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3</ref> and can even help individuals to recognise and deal with problems in their lives. In clinical depression or [[Bipolar Disorder]], the feeling of depression is worse, goes on for longer and makes it difficult or impossible to deal with the normal things of life. Although depression can be triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all.<ref>http://health.yahoo.com/experts/depression/5/sadness-amp-depression-what-is-the-difference/</ref> Symptoms include some or all of the following:

*significant, unintentional [[weight loss]]

*difficulty sleeping or oversleeping

*Feelings of unhappiness that don't go away

*restlessness

*fatigue or loss of energy

*feeling worthless or inappropriately [[guilt]]y

*Being unable to enjoy things

*difficulty thinking or concentrating

*Feeling restless and agitated

*thoughts of [[suicide]]<ref>American Psychiatric Association (1994).  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).  Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.</ref>.

*Loss of self-confidence

*Feeling useless, inadequate and hopeless

*Feelings of guilt

*Feeling more irritable than usual

*Thoughts of suicide <ref>American Psychiatric Association (1994).  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).  Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.</ref>.

While everyone experiences symptoms of depression from time to time,<ref>http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3</ref> these symptoms are usually transient and often in response to outside stressors.  Although depression is sometimes triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all.<ref>http://health.yahoo.com/experts/depression/5/sadness-amp-depression-what-is-the-difference/</ref>

Approximately 90% of people that are successful at suicide have some form of [[mental illness|mental health]] or [[substance abuse|substance misuse]] problem at the time of their death.<ref>[http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=70489B01-CDA6-EC10-E40B95178144A08F SAVE - The Link Between Depression and Suicide]</ref>

 

Depression can often lead to the [[sin]] of [[suicide]].  About 90% of the people who take their own lives have some form of [[mental illness]] or [[substance abuse]] problem at the time of their death.<ref>[http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=70489B01-CDA6-EC10-E40B95178144A08F SAVE - The Link Between Depression and Suicide]</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

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<references/>

== External Links ==

== External Links ==

[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm National Institute of Mental Health]

[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm National Institute of Mental Health]

 

[[category:psychiatry]]

[[category:psychology]]