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Blue Mountains

Depression

DEPRESSION

Depression is a serious medical illness; it's not something that you have made up in your head. It's more than just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. It's feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a time.

Signs and Symptoms

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood

Inappropriate, excessive feelings of guilt, worthlessness

A belief that we are helpless to change things for the better

A belief that our life and future is hopeless; pessimism

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed

Difficulty sleeping or increased need for sleep

Difficulty concentrating

Fatigue and loss of energy

Thoughts of death or suicide Clinical depression is the most severe form of depression, dysthymia is a less intense depression, post partum depression occurs after child birth ( this is usually temporary ), SAD is seasonal affective disorder which is believed to be related to reduced amount of sunlight, and bipolar depression ( this is the low following a manic high).