Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychological problems in the world today; affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression. The cost in human suffering can't be estimated as there too many cases that would have to be studied. Depression requires a lot of social and family adjustment. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the depressed person. The impact of Depression can be any of the following: It can causes tremendous emotional pain; it disrupts the lives of millions of people; Adversely affects the lives of families and friends Reduces work productivity and absenteeism; Has a significant negative impact on the economy, costing an estimated $44 billion a year. Individuals that may be interested in information about bipolar disorder should also review the information on depression, as bipolar disorder usually includes depressive episodes as well. Bipolar disorder was formerly called manic-depressive disorder. It is a type of depression, and it characterized by the presence of mood swings, especially "manic highs" that often result in high risk, self-damaging behavior. Most individuals with bipolar disorder have both depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and also affects your social behavior and your personal sense of physical well-being. We have all felt sad at one time or another, but that is not depression. Sometimes we feel tired from working hard, or discouraged when faced with serious problems. This too, is not depression. These feelings usually pass within a few days or weeks, once the average person learns to adjust to the stress. But, if these feelings linger, intensify, and begin to interfere with work, school or family responsibilities, it may be depression.

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