Occasionally feeling down or sad is part of the human experience. These emotions usually pass within a few days, but for some people they don't. According to the American Medical Association, more than 15 million American adults suffer from depression each year. This serious mental condition interferes with daily life, making it hard to work, go to school or take care of your family.
Sadness and Despair
According to James Loree, LMSW, a private practice psychotherapist in Lansing, Mich., it is important to differentiate depression from grief or other healthy reactions to significant events in life. What characterizes depression from sadness are ongoing feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety and/or despair. These severe emotions often lead to less participation in social activities, relationship problems and crying or the desire to cry. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression or other mental disorders.
Difficulty Concentrating
It might be difficult to concentrate or think positively about yourself and your future. Many sufferers of depression are not able to efficiently perform daily tasks and work duties as a result. Family members and co-workers might become frustrated by your inability to function. Much like other medical conditions, you cannot make depression go away by telling yourself to snap out of it.
Physical Characteristics
Although it is a mental condition, depression can manifest itself physically. Some of the physical characteristics of depression include trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, decreased sex drive and feeling fatigue during the day. You may experience ongoing aches and pains, cramps or digestive problems. An article published in 2006 by the Archives of General Psychiatry also reports lower serotonin levels in the brains of depressed subjects.
References
- Doctors American Medical Association: Called on to Screen Adults for Depression
- James Loree, LMSW, ACSW, CAAC. Private practice psychotherapist; Lansing, Michigan.
- Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies: Depression Fact Sheet
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: NCHS Data Brief
- Archives of General Psychiatry
