Depression

Depression goes beyond an occasional “blue day,” low mood, or grief.  Approximately 17% of the population suffers from a clinically significant depression with about twice as many women as men reporting symptoms of some severity.   For those suffering from depression, characteristic symptoms include: sleep problems (sleeping too little or too much), disturbance in appetite, fatigue, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, daily depressed mood, excessive guilt, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. 

Bi-polar disorder, formerly known as manic-depression, is far less common, affecting only 1-2% of the population.  In this condition, depression alternates with mania.  Mania is characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, reckless behavior, racing thoughts, talkativeness, elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and inflated self-esteem.  Manic behaviors often lead to serious legal and financial problems, and frequently cause problems with family members as well.

For further information, please see the resources below:

Depression Self Assessment Questionnaire

www.nih.mimh.gov

www.psychologyinfo.com/depression

www.ndmda.org

www.moodswing.org