Unfortunately, many people who suffer from depression will not seek professional treatment because they believe depression is not serious. Depression is very treatable, with the overwhelming majority of individuals who seek treatment showing vast improvement. As with most illnesses, early detection is more effective and helps prevent the likelihood of serious reoccurrences. Treatment options for depression can include therapy, medication, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Many factors may play a role in depression, including traumatic life events, genetics, or chemical imbalances in the brain. Depression can accompany other illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart diseases and ALS. Depression can make these conditions worse.
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom; some people with depression may not feel sadness at all. While some individuals might experience several symptoms frequently, others might only experience symptoms if triggered. Depression has many other symptoms including physical ones and depends on the stage of the illness.
Common Symptoms of Depression can include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feeling
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Loss of pleasure or interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Sleeping too much or too little and at all times of the day
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness