Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
A depressive illness can feel like falling into a bottomless pit. The individual wants to
escape but cannot muster up the strength to move. They cannot concentrate or think
clearly. Cut off by depression from the things that were once enjoyed, they find they
simply don't care. They cannot help themselves and they sink deeper into despair and
hopelessness. Isolation ensues and the thoughts of death may be a welcome pastime.
One in four women and one in ten men can expect to be diagnosed with depression at
some point in their lives, although if often goes undiagnosed. They may not realize what
they are experiencing are symptoms of a treatable illness. The success rate of reducing
symptoms of depression is higher than with any other mental or emotional illness.
People experiencing depression may have thoughts of suicide. Studies show that
depression is the illness that underlies the majority of suicides. Suicide is one of the
leading causes of death among people between the ages of 15 to 24. In the past 10
years, there have been major developments in the treatment of depression.
Later in life, the symptoms of depression, including memory impairment, slowed speech
and movement, and loss of motivation can be mistaken for those of senility or stroke.
The treatment of depression is most successful when treated with a combination of
medication, psychotherapy, stress management, and behavior modification techniques.
Depression can strike at any age. Its emotional and physical symptoms are notable for
their persistence. People experiencing depression find it hard to do anything at all, even
get up enough energy to call a doctor. But taking that first step may start them on the
road to recovery, as there is always help available.