Clinical depression is a very misunderstood disease. There are some people who still think it’s a state of mind that people get themselves into, almost deliberately, and that they should learn to “snap out of it.”
Although it’s the most common mental health problem in the UK, the medical profession are not unanimously convinced of its causes. Symptoms differ from person to person, and the disease itself ranges from mild depression to severe, including variations such as bipolar disorder and manic depression. In some people it becomes a life-threatening illness whereas in others it can be a chronic feeling of sadness and worthlessness that won’t go away.
A shocking 25% of people aged 65 and over are suffering from depression5 in the UK today. In spite of the fact that the treatment of depression can be very successful giving sufferers a whole new lease of life, most people with depression do not seek help.
If you think you might be depressed it’s very important to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your feelings. It may be that you’re not suffering from depression, or that you have other problems, but it’s still better to be sure than to do nothing and hope it will go away.
The term ‘depression’ covers a whole range of symptoms and states of being. There are many different depression types, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), severe depression, postnatal depression, dysthymia, manic depression to name a few. Each form of the disease has a different expression, different symptoms and treatment protocols, and can be severe or more moderate. They each also have different causes, such as hormonal problems, genetic inheritance, environmental factors, or chemical imbalances in the brain. Your doctor will discuss with you in detail which form of depression you have, and tailor the treatment for your condition.
Some people who have clinical depression do not realise they have an illness, especially if the feelings of sadness and despair have been going on for a long time. They become used to feeling the way they do and think it's normal, especially if they’ve been keeping themselves busy or their symptoms are less emotional and more physical in nature. However it’s very important to get help if you’re depressed as it affects your ability to function socially, at work home or at school, and can lead to other problems if left untreated.
© 2007 LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER, an incorporated company of SERVIER. All Rights Reserved - Terms of Use
SERVIER does not sell its products over the Internet - More information
Last Updated 07/05/2009 14:32:32
Best viewed in Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, at 1024x768 resolution.
