This document defines depression and describes its symptoms. Depression is an illness that involves mood, body, and thoughts, affecting eating, sleep, feelings of self-worth, and thinking. It lists specific symptoms like hopelessness, guilt, loss of interest, social isolation, sleep issues, fatigue, crying, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and persistent physical problems. It also describes types of depression like major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. It notes factors that can contribute to or trigger depression at different stages of life. The document outlines myths about depression and treatments options, including therapy, medication, and electroconvulsive therapy. It advises being supportive of those suffering from depression.

2. Concept
An illness that involves the body, mood,
and thoughts and that affects the way a
person eats, sleeps, feels about himself
or herself, and thinks about things.

3.  Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
 Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or excessive guilt
 Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that
were once enjoyed, including sex
 Social isolation, meaning the sufferer avoids interactions
with family or friends
 Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
 wheight loss or weight gain
Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down“

4.  Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down“
 Crying spells
 Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
 Restlessness, irritability
 Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to
treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders,
and/or chronic pain

5.  Major depression: combination of symptoms
that last for at least two weeks in a row
 Dysthymia: Less severe but usually more
long-lasting type of depression
 Bipolar disorder (manic depression): cycles
of mood that include at least one episode of
mania or hypomania and may include
episodes of depression as well.

6. Kids get depressed for several reasons. When
they are unable to express their feelings,
show sadness in behavior.
Their good grades and apparently good
relationships with others may make
depression harder to recognize in children.

7. They become more irritable, lose interest
in their in activities they enjoy. Start
abusing substances, lose or gain weight,
take more risk.

8. Men with depression are more likely to
experience low energy, irritability, and anger,
sometimes to the point of inflicting pain on
others.
Women tend to develop depression at an
earlier age and have depressive episodes that
last longer and tend to recur more often.

9. Retirement, the death of friends and loved
ones, increased isolation, or medical
problems can lead to depression.
Reasons:
-Part of aging
-You may be isolated with few around to notice
your distress.
-Reluctant to talk about feelings or ask for help.

10.  It is a weakness rather than an illness.
 If the sufferer just tries hard enough, it will go away.
 Highly intelligent or highly accomplished people do not
get depressed.
 People with developmental disabilities do not get
depressed.
 People with depression are "crazy."
 Children, teens, the elderly, or men do not get depressed.
(No antidepressant )
 People with depression cannot have another mental or
medical condition at the same time.
 Psychiatric medications are all addicting.
 Medication is the only effective treatment for depression.

11. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): an electric
current is passed through the brain to
produce controlled convulsions (seizures)
Antidepressant medications: increase the
amount of the neurochemical serotonin in
the brain.
Psychotherapies: gain insight into their
problems and resolve them through verbal
give-and-take with the therapist.

12.  To help him or her get an appropriate
diagnosis and treatment.
 To offer emotional support.
 To invite the person to other activities. Be
insistent in case of a refuse.
 Do not accuse the depressed person of faking
illness or of laziness.