Depression is often described as a psychological disease. There are several types of depression, ranging from mild to severe. It's hard to identify factors that cause depression. However there have been many studies done to try and understand the underlying causes of depression to help prevent it. Moreover, more studies have been performed on what type of medical assistance helps to treat depression best.
The most noticeable symptom of depression is feeling sad for a long period of time. This involves feeling sad for at least two weeks. However, with most depressed people, this symptom lasts for much longer. This symptom in itself brings on many other conditions; for example, feeling sad may trigger suicidal thoughts.
Generally, two types of suicidal people have been identified: those who are serious about it and those who want attention. This is not to say one type is more severe than the other - both require attention and care by close relatives, friends and professionals. In the beginning, most people with depression are not serious about it, but suicidal thoughts are triggered by their long depression period. They may show this through reading many books and other materials on the subject of suicide. They may start talking about it more often in daily conversation. These are all signs that they are thinking of suicide and want some help. In fact, it's very important to talk to them about it, even casually, to show them that you have interest in their lives.
Contrast this with the most serious suicidal people - these people do not talk or mention their suicidal tendencies because they'd like to act on them and they want no one to ruin their plan. These people can be helped too. They require more attention, especially more medical and professional attention. Simply talking to them about suicide may not help.
Depression has many other symptoms that vary from person to person. Some people may lose their appetite or gain more appetite. They may lose or gain weight unexpectedly. They may start forming different habits - like listening to different music or gaining new friends. Of course, this isn't a sure sign of a depression, but when many of these elements are combined they may be warning signs.
Depression may have different causes for different people. Some major reasons for depression have been identified, like social isolation, substance abuse, stress, a death in the family and disability. When more than one symptom occurs at the same time, the risk of depression is higher.
When trying to help others with their depression, be very empathetic. They may need more attention and support, but they don't need anyone telling them how to feel and that life is rosy. Everyone can escape depression given the right conditions.
Related Articles
Depression Therapy
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Advice
Depression is a psychological disease. It affects the mind, and often the body. As such, many people choose psychological help to treat their depression.
Although depression is a disease of the mind, it can also be caused by chemical imbalanced in the brain. These can often be tweaked with some drugs....
Suicide Prevention
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Self Help
Many people contemplate suicide, but often don't mean it. In some cases, people actually undergo number of events that pressure the person to take suicide as an alternate option, rather than bearing such pain. As a friend, or at least as a human, one must take some sort of measure...
Depression - Antidepressants
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
Antidepressants are drugs whose main purpose is to alleviate depression, both clinical and milder depression. These drugs are prescribed by physicians and are used in many countries around the world. They're actually one of the most common medications prescribed to patients. In fact, sometimes antidepressants are prescribed to those who...
Treating Depression
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
Depression is a psychological disease - an illness of the mind. Many depressed people often feel secluded and alone. They begin feeling depressed (this generally lasts for quite a long time) and do not tell anyone necessarily. They begin to feel that the sad feeling is their fault and nothing...
All You Need To Know About Depression
By: Alex Olson | 14/11/2007 | Health
This article discusses depression. While we are all aware that depression exists, we will help to clarify what exactly depression is and how it may come to be. Here we will outline the symptoms of depression and help you find depression help.
Chronic Myofascial Pain & Fibromyalgia - Often Together But Miles Apart
By: Erica Thompson | 22/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Recent discoveries have proven that what was once called myofascial pain syndrome, isn't a syndrome anymore! It is now classified as a true disease. Fibromyalgia, however is still a syndrome. They are often confused because of their similarities and CMP is often misdiagnosed as FM. Find out the differences between them and empower yourself! How? Reading this article is the beginning!
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
By: Knut Holt | 17/04/2006 | Health
Diabetes type 1 is caused by a decreased production of the hormone insuline in the pancreas. Here is a survey of the causes, symptoms and treatment options by this disease.
What is Ablutophobia
By: Jennifer Baxt | 31/01/2008 | Psychology
What is ablutophobia? With so many different phobias out there, it will come as little surprise that there is a phobia that refers to people who are afraid to bathe, or wash.
Latest Self Help Articles
Go for African American Speakers
By: Kassia Macy | 05/09/2008
The results of a survey on the most popular phobias concluded that most of the people are not that afraid of death or of accidents, but they are afraid of speaking in front an audience. Besides, the survey’s statistics say that African American speakers are the best in this area. Black speakers are not afraid to express their opinions in public. They are always fit and when they enter a room, everybody can feel their energy.
Beat Your Travel Alarm Clocks to the Draw!
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 04/09/2008
You have many of those infernal inventions man created to absolutely wreak havoc on your age-old biological patterns and decades-old psychological stability. And no, this is not the institution of marriage. These are travel alarm clocks - the types that scream like hellish banshees, explode like nuclear bombs, and buzz...
Top 3 Ways to Stay Connected to the Outdoor
By: Don Jacobson | 04/09/2008
Love the great outdoors? If you're the type who would rather be hiking up a mountain or rafting down a river that controlling the remote, you know exactly what I mean. I'm always amazed when someone tells me their ideal vacation requires a hotel room with 100 channels on the...
How to Read Body Language: Interpreting Body Language Signs for Better Communication
By: Michael Lee | 04/09/2008
Reading and interpreting body language can help you break down barriers of communication. It gives you an idea on the best way to approach someone and provides an insight into another person’s thoughts or future actions.
Take This First Step to Overcoming Shyness and Gaining Poise!
By: Dr. O. Akin-Ogundeji | 03/09/2008
Understanding the real meaning of poise is your first step towards gaining poise! Do you really know what poise is? What do you think are three of the characteristics of a well-poised person? Believe it, not many people understand what poise is. There are many misconceptions about what poise is. Such misconceptions have hampered many shy people. Don’t let this happen to you! Understanding what poise is, is an important step to overcoming shyness or gaining poise.
How to Detect Deception: Reliable Tools to Detect Deception and Lies
By: Michael Lee | 02/09/2008
Professional liars have trained themselves to tell lies with a straight face; and they can do it with ease after long hours of practice. Relying on nonverbal cues alone can lead to misinterpretation.
The Asteroid Goddesses
By: Maya White | 01/09/2008
Astrology has been used as a navigation tool throughout the ages by royalty, clergy, politicians, celebrities, and people just like you and me. The mysteries of planetary influences and archetypes provide us with a blueprint for existence. Conscious understanding of these mysteries gives you control and mastery of your own life.
The Power of Prayer 3
By: Steve Morgan | 01/09/2008
I wish to share what happened after the near death experience so you can strengthen your own faith.
More from Andrew Henry
Suicide Prevention
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Self Help
Many people contemplate suicide, but often don't mean it. In some cases, people actually undergo number of events that pressure the person to take suicide as an alternate option, rather than bearing such pain. As a friend, or at least as a human, one must take some sort of measure...
Depression Therapy
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Advice
Depression is a psychological disease. It affects the mind, and often the body. As such, many people choose psychological help to treat their depression.
Although depression is a disease of the mind, it can also be caused by chemical imbalanced in the brain. These can often be tweaked with some drugs....
Treating Depression
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
Depression is a psychological disease - an illness of the mind. Many depressed people often feel secluded and alone. They begin feeling depressed (this generally lasts for quite a long time) and do not tell anyone necessarily. They begin to feel that the sad feeling is their fault and nothing...
Depression - Antidepressants
By: Andrew Henry | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
Antidepressants are drugs whose main purpose is to alleviate depression, both clinical and milder depression. These drugs are prescribed by physicians and are used in many countries around the world. They're actually one of the most common medications prescribed to patients. In fact, sometimes antidepressants are prescribed to those who...
NAB2007 - The IPTV Tortoise And The Headless Chickens
By: Andrew Henry | 28/04/2007 | Computers
As usual the National Association of Broadcasters show held in Las Vegas proved very interesting.
Ineoquest Technologies, recently rated in the top 10 fastest growing businesses by the Boston Journal,
made several announcements which shocked many attendees into silence.
Having established themselves as the leading IPTV QOS equipment vendor over the last 6...
What Is MDI - Media Delivery Index?
By: Andrew Henry | 27/03/2007 | Computers
MDI - Media Delivery Index
Media Delivery Index is an open standard for use in quality assurance of IP video systems.
MDI is designed to address the problem of monitoring IP-encapsulated video signals in a live system.
The RFC (RFC 4445) for MDI details the technicalities of this in depth, but the issue...
Wat Is MDI - Media Delivery Index?
By: Andrew Henry | 21/03/2007 | Computers
MDI - Media Delivery Index
Media Delivery Index is an open standard for use in quality assurance of IP video systems.
MDI is designed to address the problem of monitoring IP-encapsulated video signals in a live system.
The RFC (RFC 4445) for MDI details the technicalities of this in depth, but the issue...
Measuring IPTV QOS (Quality Of Service)
By: Andrew Henry | 14/02/2007 | Computers
IPTV QOS is a topic that has become a confusing issue for many businesses, so let's clear it up.
Quality Of Service, being something new oftens makes people automatically think of using pre-existing measurement techniques. This basic starting point for QOS measurement is where most of the confusion is generated.
In the...
Self Improvement 
