Information about depression.

So by now.. I am willing to share that I do have depression. And I am realizing how many people aren't educate about depression but ASSUME they know. So I have researched it lately and here are the things that stood out to me greatly.

Depression: is an illness with many causes and many forms. It is a disorder of someone’s moods or emotions; it is not an attitude that someone can “control” or “snap out of,”but it is treatable with counseling and/or medication.
^ that right there would change so many perspectives of it. So many times people just don't understand that you can't just stop the tears and grin ear to ear. It isn't that simple..

A teenager with depression might have some or all of these signs of the illness:

• Sad or depressed mood
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in things he or she used to enjoy
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Crying
• Inability to sleep, or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite, or increased appetite
• Aches and pains that don’t go away, even with treatment
• Irritability
• Feeling tired despite getting enough sleep
• Inability to concentrate
• Thoughts of suicide, talk of suicide, or suicide attempts

Now after looking at these symptoms.. I want you to understand that according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 5% of teenagers or children at ANYTIME are affected by it. (Some cases more severe then others.)

The last thing that I didn't even know and well.. the reason I researched it was to see the types of depression:

• Major Depressive Disorder, also called major depression, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person's life.
• Dysthymic Disorder, also called dysthymia, is characterized by long–term (two years or longer) but less severe symptoms that may not disable a person, but can prevent one from functioning normally or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.

So, here it is.. my conclusion that I hope atleast one person takes the time to read all this and realize how depression is a HARD trial.. Not just for all of us who have it, but for our loved ones who put up with us..

If you, think that you aren't informed enough I encourage you to research it more. I used About.com. Not a fantastic source but it got my point across..