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Dealing with the dirty "D" word...

Posted by Leticia, 15 Jul

How many times have you heard or said "man I'm so depressed"? At some point in time we all feel the "feelings" of depression. For many; about 19 million, depression is a day to day battle. Anyone can experience this illness. Even though women are twice as likely to suffer from it, men are three times more likely to commit suicide.

Anyone that has ever suffered from or knows someone that has battled depression knows that it's not something that you can just "snap out of". The word has been used so flippantly that sometimes we forget that it's a very serious mental health disorder that affects so many people globally and warrants our attention, compassion and understanding.

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  • Feeling helpless, useless or hopeless
  • Feelings of self hatred
  • Feeling vulnerable and oversensitive
  • Feelings of guilt constantly
  • Lack of energy, the ability to concentrate or complete simple tasks
  • Sudden and drastic weight gains or loss
  • Inability to sleep or need for excessive amounts of sleep
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Unexplainable physical aches and pains

Most people only suffer two or three of the above symptoms at one time. There are different types of depression; as a result there are also different types of treatments available.

For manic depression which could exhibit severe mood swings, extremely energetic and positive are the highs and anguish and misery with no energy being the low. Manic depressives often receive drugs like lithium as a treatment and in more serious cases electro-convulsive therapy aka (shock therapy).

Post-natal depression usually happens after the birth of a child; Seasonal affective disorder is brought on by the change of seasons or holidays. Something to keep in mind in regards to depression is that:

- Most people with severe mental illness aren't treated. - Therapists often disagree about diagnosis. - Patients often deny that they have mental illness.

Whatever the circumstances, feelings of depression are caused by a chemical chain that effects how our brain functions. Levels of the chemicals are not balanced and this directly affects your mood. If this sounds like you or someone you know, don't think that you can just "snap out of it". This is a serious illness that requires immediate medical attention. Only the moderate to severe cases require drug treatments. Others can be treated by attending therapy.

This is Leticia, and over 19 million people suffer from depression, if you are not one of them, someone you know probably is. Give them a copy of this article and go with them to seek additional help.

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25 responses to "Dealing with the dirty "D" word..."

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  1.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 06 Apr 08

    My ex-wife battled depression for our entire marriage. It was a pretty miserable way to have a relationship, especially when she would not seek the help she needed. The threats of suicide were the worst to me. Sadly, at the time, I did not realize that people who threaten it don't intend to actually do it. Depression is real for sure, but one needs to take steps to treat this condition.

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  2.   Daria22 says:
    Posted: 02 Apr 08

    It's different for different people. I know some who have experienced loss or tragedy who have become depressed and in my view, that's to be expected. There are a LOT of people who seem to have everything going for them and every reason to be happy (great family, great friends, accomplishing their goals, religious, successful, etc). These people experience devastating depression and are sometimes successful in hiding it. I can think of two people off the top of my head who committed suicide yet some of their closest friends never knew anything was wrong. For a lot of people with recurring major depression, it's likely genetic and/or chemical. There's a great deal of stigma still and it's really unfortunate that so many suffer needlessly.

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  3.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 12 Sep 07

    thank god there is help out there!!!

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  4.   sweetnes20 says:
    Posted: 11 Sep 07

    i agree coco, it was a great article.

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  5.   Coco says:
    Posted: 04 Sep 07

    High Five Fala! Thanks for making us remember that sometimes we need to take care of our bodies, and that will make us feel better about ourselves. At any rate, it certainly will boost your confidence!

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  6.   Cocokisses says:
    Posted: 31 Aug 07

    I can't believe there aren't more comments on here either...

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  7.   Fala says:
    Posted: 30 Aug 07

    Hello if this site is making you so unhappy maybe you should try something else. Start working out to make yourself feel better about you and build your confidence, or go back to school and get another degree. There's more to life out there than finding a man.

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  8.   Cocokisses says:
    Posted: 29 Aug 07

    Wow...such a sad comment. That's why we can't say it enough. Olease seek professional help. Maybe if you talk about it, you can find out the root of the problem. I wish you well in your quest to get healthy mentally and physically.

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  9.   Looking4me says:
    Posted: 22 Aug 07

    Depression is a big subject that I know first hand knowledge about. Medication helps mask the problem but doesn't solve it. Some people get depressed for many reasons. For instance the changes to this site. The yes, no, maybe part can set one up for a bout with depression. How you might ask? Well the rejection factor. I get so afraid of being rejected that it's hard for me to see pass the no's or even maybe's. When I was here before I received a lot more flirts and messages, and now hardly anything. I try to stay optimistic, but it's hard to do. I'm not a hard person to look at. I have a heart of gold, but ppl only want the skin deep women and don't want to find a good God fearing woman who, if they took the time to get to know, would make 1 great man happy. but some not all men won't get to the core of this heart because i'm not in the right package. I could be optimistic and say your loss, but who am I kidding.

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  10.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 15 Aug 07

    i cant believe there isnt more comments on here.

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  11.   Fala says:
    Posted: 12 Aug 07

    Very good advice Coco.

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  12.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 10 Aug 07

    there has been people i know that were lost to this disease.

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  13.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 09 Aug 07

    its hard just to get over, you need professional help.

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  14.   Pixiedust says:
    Posted: 05 Aug 07

    It is easy to say and/or give all the advice you want if you haven't been in the situation. I suffer from depression, and believe me if it was something I could just get over, I would. For me, I didn't know at first it was depression, at first I just didn't have energy, gained weight, had trouble sleeping, my body ached, etc. So I went to a doctor and he told me I was suffering from depression. This is not having a bad day,week,month. It is a total feeling of hopelessness, and it does require medication in some cases. I do believe b/c so many people view depression as an excuse instead of an illness, it is why some people hesitate to get help.

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  15.   SoulFlower says:
    Posted: 03 Aug 07

    Everyone gets depress so it is up to the person to get over it or get help.

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  16.   Cocokisses says:
    Posted: 01 Aug 07

    This is a very informative articel. While I may not be depressed (now), I certainly recognize the warning signs in friends and family. Not only is it important to gently tell the person to seek help, it should also be stressed to them that they are loved, needed, and wanted. I hope if there is someone out here on the boards feeling that way, they should seek help or talk to friends. It will make them see that things are not as bad as they seem.

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  17.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 30 Jul 07

    i think everybody in their own way has a little depression.

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  18.   ann says:
    Posted: 30 Jul 07

    Thanks for advising to seek professional help. Natural Health Practioners also can help

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  19.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 30 Jul 07

    thank god, there is treatment out there.

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  20.   Fala says:
    Posted: 30 Jul 07

    If you think you're suffering from depression or any serious disease, please seek professional help. Don't take advice from people on the internet - especially the ones who don't know the difference between since and sense. That would just be sense-less!

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  21.   Mike says:
    Posted: 29 Jul 07

    Depression is a serious matter but it is not just a chemical thing. Human beings are spiritual in nature with a whole range of feelings and emotions. Some depression is good and natural but when it is over developed within a person yes something is wrong. Medicine doesn't have all the answers. There are reasons people are depressed and usually a significant episode/s have lead to that feeling state. Exploring the root of our problems is essential in better mental health. Taking a drug is not the solution to internal damage and there are many avenues professionally and and self help programs that deal with the person and just hand out a pill (although temporarily it may be a benefit to some). So as to not just treat the symptoms and not look for the real problems affecting people and seeking resolution and freedom rather than being dependent on medication to resolve our inner conflicts with life,people, places and things that disturb us. Make since?

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  22.   nicefella115 says:
    Posted: 28 Jul 07

    thats a scary word.

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  23.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 26 Jul 07

    Thanks for the article!! Will pass it along as needed...

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  24.   Fala says:
    Posted: 26 Jul 07

    Depression is a very serious illness and should not be taken lightly. It's also very treatable so help is out there.

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  25.   hiimsteph says:
    Posted: 25 Jul 07

    tea depression can really be detrimental not only mentally but physically. I've seen people have back and chest pains due to the fact they are stressing so much.

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