There is a difference between depression and sadness. There is a difference between a specific event bringing us down temporarily, and an underlying health issue that could cause long-term, severe, symptoms. How do you know if what you or a loved one is feelings is temporary sadness, or true clinical depression? October 8 is National Depression Screening Day. Take the opportunity to learn the facts about depression so that you can identify the warning signs in yourself or those around you.
- Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year.
- While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, and to any one, the median age at onset is 32, and it is more prevalent in women.
- As many as one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents are diagnosed with clinical depression.
- Up to 80 percent of those treated for depression show an improvement in their symptoms within four to six weeks, however despite this high success rate, nearly two out of three people suffering with depression do not actively seek or receive proper treatment.
- Approximately half of all cases of depression go undiagnosed and untreated.
- Untreated depression is the number one risk for suicide among youth.
- The causes of depression can be situational and/or bio-chemical. Whether you are experiencing mild to moderate depression caused by the loss of a loved one for example, or severe depression that is caused by bio-chemical factors, start by seeking help and support from a professional counselor or treatment facility. Visit our mental health page for available resources from Horizon Health Services.
- 65 percent of the time symptoms of depression are experienced as anxiety. Other symptoms of depression may include persistent irritability, anti-social behavior, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, insomnia, or loss of appetite.
- Depression can hurt physically. Chronic pain may be another symptom of depression.
- Alcohol, marijuana, and other recreational or street drugs can act as depressants, worsening existing feelings and symptoms.
- Depression often co-occurs with other illnesses and medical conditions, including cancer, stroke, heart attack, HIV, Parkinson’s Disease, eating disorders, substance use, and diabetes.
- Regular exercise and routine physical activity can help improve your mood and reduce your feelings of depression. Simply walking 30 minutes a day may help to ease your symptoms.
If you believe that you may be suffering from depression, complete a self-assessment and consider seeking professional treatment to help improve your wellbeing — mind, body, and soul.
Call 716-831-1800 today for help and hope.