First off, I would like to say in accordance with depression, that it is a disease. Many of us have it, but don't realize it.
Major depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression often have behavior changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns.
The symptoms of Depression are:
# Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
# Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
# Extreme difficulty concentrating
# Fatigue and lack of energy
# Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
# Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
# Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (such as sex)
# Thoughts of death or suicide
# Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
Depression can appear as anger and discouragement, rather than as feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. If depression is very severe, there may also be psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. These symptoms may focus on themes of guilt, inadequacy, or disease.
The Causes of Depression can be:
A chemical imbalances in the brain, which may be hereditary or caused by events in a person's life. Some types of depression seem to run in families, but depression can also occur in people who have no family history of the illness. Stressful life changes or events can trigger depression in some people. Usually, a combination of factors is involved.
Men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels can have depression. It occurs more often in women.
You may be able to avoid some episodes of depression by:
* Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and caffeine
* Exercising regularly
* Learning how to relax and manage stress
* Maintaining good sleep habits
The elderly, or others who feel socially isolated or lonely can try volunteering or getting involved in group activities.
Medications and psychiatric counseling may prevent depression from returning. Some episodes of depression are not preventable.
When to contact a doctor:
Call 911, a suicide hotline, or get safely to a nearby emergency room if you have thoughts of suicide, a suicidal plan, or thoughts of harming yourself or others.
Call your doctor right away if:
* You hear voices that are not there.
* You have frequent crying spells with little or no provocation.
* You have feelings of depression that disrupt work, or family life for longer than 2 weeks.
* You think that one of your current medications may be making you feel depressed. DO NOT change or stop any medications without consulting your doctor.
Major depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression often have behavior changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns.
The symptoms of Depression are:
# Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
# Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
# Extreme difficulty concentrating
# Fatigue and lack of energy
# Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
# Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
# Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (such as sex)
# Thoughts of death or suicide
# Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
Depression can appear as anger and discouragement, rather than as feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. If depression is very severe, there may also be psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. These symptoms may focus on themes of guilt, inadequacy, or disease.
The Causes of Depression can be:
A chemical imbalances in the brain, which may be hereditary or caused by events in a person's life. Some types of depression seem to run in families, but depression can also occur in people who have no family history of the illness. Stressful life changes or events can trigger depression in some people. Usually, a combination of factors is involved.
Men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels can have depression. It occurs more often in women.
You may be able to avoid some episodes of depression by:
* Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and caffeine
* Exercising regularly
* Learning how to relax and manage stress
* Maintaining good sleep habits
The elderly, or others who feel socially isolated or lonely can try volunteering or getting involved in group activities.
Medications and psychiatric counseling may prevent depression from returning. Some episodes of depression are not preventable.
When to contact a doctor:
Call 911, a suicide hotline, or get safely to a nearby emergency room if you have thoughts of suicide, a suicidal plan, or thoughts of harming yourself or others.
Call your doctor right away if:
* You hear voices that are not there.
* You have frequent crying spells with little or no provocation.
* You have feelings of depression that disrupt work, or family life for longer than 2 weeks.
* You think that one of your current medications may be making you feel depressed. DO NOT change or stop any medications without consulting your doctor.
The reason I have made this thread because there is hope !! If we all stick together as a group, like HSLS, we can get through anything, because I feel we have an excellent connection between us, and we ALL support one another, sometimes even disregarding our OWN issues to help another person.
So, in conclusion, I would like this thread to not only HELP us, but to entertain us, as well. So, remember the ToS, but, pretty much anything goes here..... i.e. jokes, funny video clips, poetry, etc...BUT--- THEY ALL HAVE TO BE ABOUT BEING DEPRESSED OR SOMETHING HAVING TO DO WITH CHRONIC PAIN. If there is a graphic in here that does not pertain to getting better, or supporting one another, I WILL delete it.
So have fun, but please do not forget the thread of Hug Soft, Love Strong. I want us to have fun, but at the same time be very courteous and thoughtful while posting. If you think you may offend someone via a video clip, funny graphic, etc..... DO NOT include it in here. We are to respect one another. And I think, mainly,..... we are to love one another and help him/her out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (based on requests) that this will be fun.
I love you all......
