What Is Depression

 

 

  

 

 

  

What Is Depression

  • Everyday temporary 'blues' or sadness is not depression nor is the normal grief caused by the death of a loved one. People with the 'blues' or grief may have short term symptoms of depression but usually continue to function almost normally and soon recover without treatment.
  • We all have mood swings because of events in our life. The key is that these moods are temporary.
  • Depression affects a person's mood, thinking, bodily functions and behaviour in many ways over a sustained period of time. It is the duration and degree of sadness combined with other symptoms, and the effect on daily activities, which indicate significant depression.
  • Two common symptoms of depression can be:
    • mood - feeling low in spirits, sad, unhappy and irritable
    • loss of interest and pleasure - in things or activities which once gave pleasure.

These will usually continue on a daily basis for at least 2 weeks, and will not be changed by what happens in daily life.

  • These symptoms may be accompanied by at least three of the following:
    • weight loss or gain, change of appetite
    • sleep disturbances ranging from difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep, to early morning awakening with inability to get back to sleep
    • feelings of agitation and anxiety which make a person feel either 'speeded up' or slowed down
    • lack of energy, feeling of fatigue
    • feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and low self esteem
    • loss of concentration and inability to make decisions
    • thoughts of death or suicide.
  • If a person is depressed they will have the two main symptoms (low mood and loss of interest and pleasure) and will also have at least three other symptoms, all of which have been occurring continuously for at least two weeks.

 

 

  

 

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

  
 

What Is Depression :: Causes Of Depression :: Who Is Affected When Depression Takes Place
Treatment For Parents Depression :: Parents Post Natal Depression :: Home

 

  
 

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