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“Depression is the plague of the modern era.” (Dr. Lewis Judd, former Chief, NIMH, 2000).
The extremes of Mood Disorders come in two principal forms. #1, Major Depressive Disorder, in which the individual experiences prolonged unhappiness and lethargy until usually responding to a normal state, and #2, Bipolar Disorder (formerly called Manic Depressive Disorder) in which the individual alternates between mania, an over-excited hyperactive state, and depression.
Plunging into Despair
If you are like most people, at some time during this year you will probably experience a few of the symptoms of depression. You may feel discouraged about the future, dissatisfied with your life, or isolated from friends and family. You may lack energy to get things done or even to force yourself out of bed, being unable to eat, concentrate or sleep normally. You may even wonder if you would be better off dead. Perhaps you are attending college. Academic successes came easily to you during high school but now you find that disappointing grades may jeopardize your goals. Maybe you are feeling social stress or a relationship is ending badly. You have plunged into despair.
You Are Not Alone
Depression is the common cold of psychological disorders – an explanation that describes its pervasiveness but not its seriousness. Phobias are more common, yet depression is the top reason people seek mental health assistance. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide (WHO, 2002). In any given year, depression plagues 5.8 percent of men and 9.5 percent of women (WHO, 2002).
As anxiety is a response to future threats, depression is often a response to past and current loss. To feel bad in reaction to a death or a sad event is to be in touch with reality. This is a wake up call to stop and take protective measures.
The Purpose of Life
Let us recall that life’s purpose is not happiness but survival and reproduction. Just like sneezing, coughing or vomiting are forms of pain to protect the body from toxins or virus, similarly, depression is sort of a psychological sneeze or cough, meant to slow us down, defuse aggression and restrain risk-taking (Allen & Badcock, 2003).
Crushing Impact
To grind to a halt as depressed people do when feeling threatened, and to redirect energy to more promising ways between the temporary blues and the crushing impact of a major depression we all experience is a condition called Dysthymic Disorder. Otherwise known as feeling down in the dumps for 2 or more years.
Fortunately, most major depressive episodes self-terminate.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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