Lose the "blues," learn the facts about depression
Sara West
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: Lifestyles
With Valentine's Day on the backburner, Christmas bills piling up, midterms right around the corner and cold weather that seems to last forever, people may be feeling a little "down in the dumps" this time of year.
Although the Mental Health Foundation said one in five people temporarily feel "blue" during the course of a lifetime, depression may result from consistent, overwhelming low moods.
A health Web site at www.YourMedicalSource.com said depression actually is quite different from these temporary cases of hopeless feelings and is not "all in your head."
"Depression is not a weakness of character," the site said. "Depression is a medical illness linked to changes in the biochemistry of the brain."
Further, the MHF said any individual may become depressed since depression does not discriminate against age, ethnicity or gender. It is estimated that one in 20 individuals may experience clinical depression in a lifetime and nearly 17 million Americans are affected by depression. Though, the statistic is only an estimation because not all people who are depressed seek diagnosis and treatment.
Kwame McKenzie, a writer for the British Medical Association, listed in his pamphlet on depression guidelines for deciding whether a low mood situation is temporary or should be considered depression.
McKenzie said an individual may be experiencing clinical depression "if your low mood affects all parts of your life (home, work, family and social activities), lasts for two weeks or more or brings you to the brink of suicide."
An individual going by the initial K., posted a personal story of the struggle against depression on the MHF's Web site.
"The first time I realized something might be wrong was when I was about 22 or 23 (years old) and people at work began saying I was moody, snappy, grouchy and sad," K. said. "One turning point in my life was the day I couldn't stop crying. The tears were just flowing with no reason.
Although the Mental Health Foundation said one in five people temporarily feel "blue" during the course of a lifetime, depression may result from consistent, overwhelming low moods.
A health Web site at www.YourMedicalSource.com said depression actually is quite different from these temporary cases of hopeless feelings and is not "all in your head."
"Depression is not a weakness of character," the site said. "Depression is a medical illness linked to changes in the biochemistry of the brain."
Further, the MHF said any individual may become depressed since depression does not discriminate against age, ethnicity or gender. It is estimated that one in 20 individuals may experience clinical depression in a lifetime and nearly 17 million Americans are affected by depression. Though, the statistic is only an estimation because not all people who are depressed seek diagnosis and treatment.
Kwame McKenzie, a writer for the British Medical Association, listed in his pamphlet on depression guidelines for deciding whether a low mood situation is temporary or should be considered depression.
McKenzie said an individual may be experiencing clinical depression "if your low mood affects all parts of your life (home, work, family and social activities), lasts for two weeks or more or brings you to the brink of suicide."
An individual going by the initial K., posted a personal story of the struggle against depression on the MHF's Web site.
"The first time I realized something might be wrong was when I was about 22 or 23 (years old) and people at work began saying I was moody, snappy, grouchy and sad," K. said. "One turning point in my life was the day I couldn't stop crying. The tears were just flowing with no reason.
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