How much depression is normal

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Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Depression is common Symptoms of depression Causes of depression Seek support for symptoms of depression Types of depression Where to get help.

Depression is common In any one year, around one million people in Australia experience depression. Symptoms of depression Depression affects how people think, feel and act. Feelings caused by depression A person with depression may feel: sad miserable unhappy irritable overwhelmed guilty frustrated lacking in confidence indecisive unable to concentrate disappointed.

Personal factors that can lead to depression Personal factors that can lead to a risk of depression include: family history — depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk.

Serious conditions can bring about depression directly or can contribute to depression through the associated stress and worry, especially if it involves long-term management of a condition or chronic pain drug and alcohol use — can both lead to and result from depression.

Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Life events and depression Research suggests that continuing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work can increase the risk of depression. Changes in the brain Although there has been a lot of research in this complex area, there is still much that we do not know.

Some factors that can lead to faulty mood regulation in the brain include: genetic vulnerability severe life stressors taking some medications, drugs and alcohol some medical conditions. Seek support for symptoms of depression Depression is often not recognised and can go on for months or even years if left untreated.

Types of depression There are different types of depression. Major depression Major depression, or major depressive disorder is the technical term used by health professionals and researchers to describe the most common type of depression. Depression can be described as mild, moderate or severe. Melancholia Melancholia is an older term for depression and is still sometimes used to describe a more severe form of depression with a strong biological basis, where many of the physical symptoms of depression are particularly evident.

Men in particular can feel angry and restless. However you experience the problem, left untreated it can become a serious health condition. No matter how hopeless you feel, you can get better. By understanding the causes and recognizing the different symptoms and types of depression, you can take the first steps to feeling better and overcoming the problem. Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms.

Depression and anxiety are believed to stem from the same biological vulnerability, which may explain why they so often go hand-in-hand. Bipolar disorder , also known as manic depression, involves serious shifts in moods, energy, thinking, and behavior. Because it looks so similar to depression when in the low phase, it is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. This can be a serious problem as taking antidepressants for bipolar disorder can actually make the condition worse.

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. Deep despair and hopelessness can make suicide feel like the only way to escape the pain. If you have a loved one with depression, take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously and watch for the warning signs:. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, express your concern and seek help immediately. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. But with time, you will feel better, especially if you get help.

There are many people who want to support you during this difficult time, so please reach out! Depression often varies according to age and gender, with symptoms differing between men and women, or young people and older adults. Depressed men are less likely to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies.

Women are more likely to experience symptoms such as pronounced feelings of guilt, excessive sleeping, overeating, and weight gain. Depression in women is also impacted by hormonal factors during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. In fact, postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 women following childbirth. Irritability, anger, and agitation are often the most noticeable symptoms in depressed teens —not sadness.

They may also complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical pains. Older adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms: things like fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, and memory problems. They may also neglect their personal appearance and stop taking critical medications for their health. Depression comes in many shapes and forms. These are the most common types. More than simply feeling blue, the symptoms of mild depression can interfere with your daily life, robbing you of joy and motivation.

Those symptoms become amplified in moderate depression and can lead to a decline in confidence and self-esteem. More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood. Major depression otherwise known as major depressive disorder is much less common than mild or moderate and is characterized by severe, relentless symptoms.

Atypical depression is a common subtype of major depressive disorder with a specific symptom pattern. It responds better to some therapies and medications than others, so identifying it can be helpful. Conquering both sadness and depression takes effort. And talk out everything that is on your mind. Here are some more tips to help you manage both sadness and depression:. Everyone feels sad from time to time, but it can be frustrating when there's no underlying reason.

Learn what might be going on and how to find some…. Everybody feels blue from time to time. There are many types of depression. They share some symptoms but affect people differently. Geriatric depression is a mental and emotional disorder affecting older adults.

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme fluctuations in thinking, mood, and behavior, known as depression and mania or…. Experts say mushrooms contain a number of nutrients, including potassium and B vitamins, that can boost physical as well as mental health. Persistent depressive disorder, formerly known as dysthymia, is a form of chronic depression. Learn about its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.

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