Anyone at any time can develop an emotional problem.
You begin to feel sad, angry, alone or just flustrated by
life. You lose sleep, or become irritable. Sometimes
talking to someone you are close to helps but you may
be suffering from something more than an emotional
upset and need professional help.

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION
There is not just one cause of depression. It is a complex
disease that can occur as a result of a multitute of different
factors. Family history of depression, Grief from a loss of a
loved one, personal disputs, physical or emotional abuse,
But it can also be caused by bipolar or unipolar disorders
or chemical imbalance.

BIOLOGY vs EMOTIONAL
There is absolute proof that people suffering from depressin
have chains in their brains compared to people who do not
suffer from depression. The hippocampus, a small part of
the brain that is vital to the storage of memories, is 9-13%
smaller in women with a history of depression than in
those who have never been depressed. A smaller
hippocampus has fewer serotonin receptors. Serotonin is
a neurotransmitter - a chemical messenger that allows
communication between nerves in the brain and the body.
It is not known why the hippocampus is smaller but cortisol
(a stress hormone that is important to normal function of the
hippocampus) is produced in excess in depressed people.
Depression is a complex illness with many contributing
factors but with better understanding DOCTORS are better
able to diagnose and prescribe more effective treatments.
Those with chemical imbalance will need treatment for life.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Major Depressive Disorders
An individual with major depression, a major depressive
disorder, feels a profound and constant sense of
hopelessness and dispair. It is marked by a combination
of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study,
sleep, eat and enjoy pleasureable activities. Most
require continually medication.

Dysthymia
Dysthymia sometimes referred as chronic depression,
is a less severe form of depression. Those who suffer
from it are usually able to function normally with
medication but seem consistently unhappy.

Seasonal Affective Disorders
This, like the name are seasonal or depression that occurs
same time of the year, But it is more than just "the winter blues"
or "cabin fever". People who suffer from SAD have sadness,
anxiety, irritability, and loss of interest in normal activity. Their
are medicatiions to help you.

PSYCHOTIC Depression
In addition to depression feelings, one is often pyschosi--
like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
or delusions (irrational thoughts and fears). However those
with psychotic depression are usually aware that those
thoughts are not true and there are treatments available.

Bipolar Depression
People with bipolar disorders or "manic-depressive" (manic
describes periods when you feel overly exited and confident.
These feeling can quickly turn to confuson, irritabily, anger and
even rage). Depressive (describes the periods when you feel
very sad or depressed). Because of the highs and lows-- or
two poles of mood--the condition is referred to as "bipolar"
depression. In between episodes of mood swinge, you may
experience normal moods. Bipolar disorders are a long-term
illness that requires management throughtout your life.

OTHER EMOTIONAL DISORDERS

Anxiety Disorder
Almost everyone gets anxious. We feel nervous before a test or
major event in our lives. While other's let "anxiety" interfer with their
daily function. Actually genuine anxiety is not marked by anxiety but
by outright fear chacterized by shakiness, trembling, aching muscles,
sweats, dizziness, pounding heart, dry mouth and a lump in the throat.

Panic Disorders
A panic attack is a very frightening experience. You feel overcome
wiith feeling of intense fear and foreboding. Fear being watched,
feeling of being frozen to the spot or unable to move. One can begin
to shake, sweat, gasp for air as feel sure you are having a heart
attack or are going to die. All of a sudden these feeling disappear and
do not return for weeks. See your Doctor .

Obsessive -Compulsive Disorder

Stress Disorders.

Generalized Symptoms
Feel empty, sad or hopeless
Feel guilty, worthless or helpless
Cry often
Lose interest in things you usually enjoy
Unable to think clearly, make decision, remember things
Sleep poorly
Lose or gain weight
Have low energy
Have headaches, stomaches and other pains
Become focused on death

General Information
Generally those with depression need diagnosis and treatment.
They can be treated with a combination of Psychotheerapy
and drugs. Many of the medication have serious side effects.
You should know your illness and know your medication. Follow your
DOCTOR and PHARMACIST advice, read all medicine inserts,
space them appropriately to advoid over medicating yourself
and adding to side effect.

*Materials contained herein is intended for general
information only and is not intented to replace your
Doctor, Pharmacist or Health Care Provider*

Visit PDR Wellness Network and
visit disease overview and drug information.

http://consumer.pdr.net/consumer