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Depression

Depression is a common emotional disorder. It affects both the body and the mind. It can occur at any age, from young childhood to the golden years of old age. According to the National Mental Health Association, nearly six million children under the age of eighteen suffer from depression. According to Paul Meier, M.D. the depression rate is 300% higher than it was fifty years ago. Why? Researchers point to more broken homes, less religion in the schools, poor nutrition, less connection with friends and family, loneliness and of course, stress. W. R. Spence, M. D. (1992) states that depression is believed to be caused by a combination of biological and psychological forces. Since there may be physical symptoms associated with depression it is often misdiagnosed with only the physical symptoms being treated. In some cases depression may actually have a physical cause. Some drugs, including high blood pressure medications, steroids, or even birth control pills may contribute to depression. About 20% of all cases of depression are caused by an actual physical problem.

Physical Symptoms:

  • exhaustion
  • low blood sugar
  • headaches
  • ulcers
  • repeated illness

    On an emotional level depressed people often experience a feeling hopelessness and helplessness. It may be a reaction to a major loss in your life. There are many similarities between mourning and depression. This loss can be the death of a loved one, loss of a friend, a parent being deployed, or parents divorcing. If there is no obvious loss apparent in your life, the severely depressed may be mourning something, even if it is a loss of their dreams. Some mental health specialists feel that depression may also be anger or aggression turned inward. If the person has been repeatedly told that anger is bad and should not be taken out on other people, the anger may turn inward and be taken out on the self. Studies show that holding onto anger and unforgiveness depletes serotonin levels. Serotonin is the main brain chemical involved in forming depression.

    Clinical depression should not be confused with the occasional bad day that everyone experiences. Sometimes a bad mood may last a week or more. But if the sense of hopelessness lasts for several weeks it can be viewed as a warning signal. If this is the case please ask your parents to take you to a doctor to be examined. Sometimes depression can be caused by a medical problem.

    Signs of Depression:

  • persistent feelings of sadness
  • sleeplessness or too much sleep
  • difficulty concentrating
  • poor appetite/ unwanted weight loss
  • social withdrawal
  • loss of interest in usual activities
  • feelings of worthlessness
  • pessimism
  • irritability, anxiety, worry
  • difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
  • fatique, exhaustion
  • physical aches and pains (headaches, stomachaches, etc.)
  • excessive crying
  • thoughts of suicide or harming oneself.

    The above are symptoms for all age groups. You may react differently than another person who is depressed. While many are exhausted and low on energy, many react in opposite ways. Teenagers for example, may have too much restless energy and channel this excess in destructive ways. They may act out the depression by being rebellious at home or at school. They may turn to drugs and/or alcohol or even promiscuity as the depression continues.

    Children who are under a great deal of stress, experiencing loss through death or divorce, and those who have learning disabilities are at higher risk for developing depression. According to Dr. Spence (1992) there are also other emotional causes.

    Emotional Causes:

  • grief
  • helplessness
  • frustration
  • low self-esteem
  • anxiety
  • introversion
  • rejection
  • guilt
  • loneliness
  • hopelessness

    Depression is an illness that can be treated. Only a few really depressed people actually seek help. Treatment may include therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. If you think that you or your parent has become clinically depressed you need to get help immediately. A physician or mental health specialist should be consulted. Unfortunately, some severely depressed people do commit suicide. If any of your friends begin to talk about killing himself, please take it seriously and tell an adult.

    If the depression is mild, there are many natural ways to help raise the serotonin level which will help alleviate the depression. The supplement tryptophan helps increase serotonin levels. This can also be found naturally in bananas, turkey, and various forms of dairy. You need to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Serotonin builds up while you sleep, so without the necessary sleep, it simply is not replenished each night. And the most fun way of building up endorphins (which build up serotonin levels) is by laughing.Click here to find out more about laughter.

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