Depression is a disorder that affects a person’s mood and it is related to feelings of anger, loss, or sadness. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), approximately 8% of Americans, who were over 20 years old, experienced depression in any two-week period in 2013-2016.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is not just the constant feeling of being blue. Major depression has different symptoms. It can be different for children, women, and men.
Children may have symptoms, such as:
- Mood swings
- Feeling of incapability
- Getting trouble in school
- A decline in educational performance
- Sleeping more than usual or difficulty sleeping
- Weight gain or loss
Symptoms of depression in men include:
- Irritability, restlessness, anxiousness, anger, or aggressiveness
- The feeling of hopelessness or sadness
- Anhedonia
- Decreased sexual desire
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Insomnia or excessive sleepiness
- Fatigue, headache, bodily pain, digestive problems
Women may have symptoms similar to men. However, men show aggressiveness more than women.
Treatment
Depression can weigh a person down. Fortunately, proper treatment can improve the quality of a person’s life.
Intervention for depression includes the following:
- Medications prescribed by a healthcare provider
- Talking to a psychotherapist
- Exposure to white light
- Exercise
If your loved one experiences the symptoms mentioned, then try one of the treatments that effectively address depression.
