Depression 4
Depression (psychology), mental illness in which a person experiences deep, unshakable sadness and diminished interest in nearly all activities. People also use the term depression to describe the temporary sadness, loneliness, or blues that everyone feels from time to time. In contrast to normal sadness, severe depression, also called major depression, can dramatically impair a person’s ability to function in social situations and at work. People with major depression often have feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness, as well as thoughts of committing suicide.
Depression can take several other forms. In bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic-depressive illness, a person’s ...
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professionals use the term clinical depression to refer to any of the above forms of depression.
Surveys indicate that people commonly view depression as a sign of personal weakness, but psychiatrists and psychologists view it as a real illness. In the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health has estimated that depression costs society many billions of dollars each year, mostly in lost work time.
II PREVALENCE
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. At least 8 percent of adults in the United States experience serious depression at some point during their lives, and estimates range as high as 17 percent. The illness affects all people, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standing. However, women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer from depression. Experts disagree on the reason for this difference. Some cite differences in hormones, and others point to the stress caused by society’s expectations of women.
Depression ...
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to bring them pleasure no longer do.
Symptoms of depression can vary by age. In younger children, depression may include physical complaints, such as stomachaches and headaches, as well as irritability, "moping around," social withdrawal, and changes in eating habits. They may feel unenthusiastic about school and other activities. In adolescents, common symptoms include sad mood, sleep disturbances, and lack of energy. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical rather than emotional problems, which sometimes leads doctors to misdiagnose the illness.
Symptoms of depression can also vary by culture. In some cultures, depressed people may not experience sadness or guilt ...
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Depression 4. (2004, September 6). Retrieved November 22, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Depression-4/13923
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"Depression 4." Essayworld.com. September 6, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Depression-4/13923.
"Depression 4." Essayworld.com. September 6, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Depression-4/13923.
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