What is Depression? Part 1

Depression is one over used word. We tend to use it to describe everything from a post-sugar cookie rush to the overwhelming defeat of the Dallas Cowboys to the Eagles.
Well, for my Cowboy buddies, maybe this could be the onset of Major Depression. Maybe next year.

Back on task, people do tend to throw the d (depression) word around. When I hear people saying talking about depression in this way, I tend to think that they are talking about the normal ups and downs that we all experience in our day to day lives-not the more global or long-term inversion of moods. Clinical depression is not a moment of sadness, but a tenacious feeling of hopelessness, gloom and isolation that can be triggered by loss, and an imbalance of brain chemicals. It is a physical disease and one that can kill you! Research tells us that suicide is one of the top four killers of Americans between 15 and 44. The numbers tell us that women will attempt suicide more than men, but that men are up to five times more successful in doing it.

The symptom checklist for Depression includes a bunch of very negative ingredients. Some of these include low self-esteem, decreased interest in sex, weight changes, sleep problems, fatigue, problems with your ability to concentrate, spiritual dryness, thoughts of suicide, and isolation. Depression hinders you ability to resist infection and can increase your chances of diabetes and heart disease.

Here is an interesting bit of trivia; 15 percent of Americans have experienced clinically significant depression at some time in our lives.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD says, "Depression is a lot like hot sauce-there are all different kinds and nuances, but they can be dangerous at the same time. These types can range from post-partum depression to a full-blow Major Depressive Episode with a psychotic break.

Oz says, "Depression can be trickier than a David Blaine stunt because some of the symptoms are on the subtle side.

If you want to learn more about depression check out some of these sites: Focus on the Family; Mental Health America; Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance; and the American Psychiatric Foundation

If you are interested in attending an Overcoming Depression Workshop with John Thurman Click this link: Overcoming Depression.