Major Depression

NOTE:  If you feel you have some of these symptoms don’t diagnose yourself.  Seek professional help.  Almost everyone one of us has had some of these symptoms at some time in our lives.  A clinical diagnosis depends on the severity of these symptoms, the cluster of symptoms that you are experiencing, and how long you have had them.

There is a noticeable change in the person and how they function. This must last for at least 2 weeks to be diagnosed as major depression.

Depression is the 4th major illness women suffer in the world today.  By 2020, if our patterns do not change, it will be the 2nd most prevalent illness on the planet.

A person has to have at least 5 of the following symptoms to make a clear diagnosis.

  1.  Persistent depressive, anxious, sad or empty feelings.

  2.  Feeling worthless, helpless, experiencing excessive inappropriate guilt.

  3.  Hopeless about the future, excessive pessimistic feelings.

  4.  Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities.

  5.  Decreased energy and chronic feelings of fatigue.

  6.  Loss of memory with difficulty making decisions or concentrating.

  7.  Irritability or restlessness or agitation.

  8.  Sleep problems, either difficulty getting to sleep or sleeping too much.

  9.  Loss of appetite and interest in food, or overeating with weight gain.

10.  Recurring thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

There can also be different forms of depression with different associated features:  Dysthymia,

Bipolar Disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Grief, Psychotic Features, etc. 

Causes:  genetics, life events, social situations, grief, traumatic experiences, feeling trapped.
 

Sacred Scripture

Psalm 30.5       He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.

Romans 5:3-4   And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance: and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Childhood Depression

NOTE:   If your child or teenager seems to have these symptoms take him/her

to a licensed, professional counselor.  Don’t try to diagnose them yourself.  A formal diagnosis can only be made by someone trained to do so. 

There are probably around 4 million children in the United States that are depressed at any one time.
 

Depression in children has many of the same characteristics as adults, but they can often be grouped in opposite directions.  They may be:

Children can be depressed and still have ADHD, learning disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse.  About 20% of children who are ADHD also have depression.   Very often when teenagers get into drugs and alcohol they are self-medicating depression or pain.

Many times children who are depressed are reacting to social situations: divorce, the birth of a sibling, moving away from friends and surroundings, being bullied, feeling trapped in a situation, family violence, parents who have addiction problems, feeling abandoned.  For teenagers: breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend, poor grades, failing in a sports program, body appearance, acceptance by peers, can create depression.

Sacred Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:4:16-17   We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. (Our faith is the main anchor that can help us survive the storms of life.  Hold on to it desperately when you need to).