Depression

Over 18 million people in the United States suffer from depression. Approximately 80% of those people are not being treated for depression. Surprisingly, the symptoms of depression extend far beyond sadness, which could account for at least a portion of the untreated population. The other symptoms may be treated individually or thought to be associated with other medical conditions.

The type of depression is defined by the symptoms or the triggers and can vary from mild depression to major depression.

• Anxiety can accompany depression or be a trigger for it.

• Depression and mania can exist together.

• Melancholy can appear with severe depression causing agitation or lack of energy.

• Hallucinations or delusions are possible psychotic symptoms.

• Catatonia can be a fixed posture or uncontrolled movements.

• Postpartum depression appears in the weeks or months following the delivery of a baby.

• Peripartum depression appears during pregnancy.

• Seasonal depression changes with the winter seasons and is linked to reduced sunlight.

• Mixed symptoms can reveal depression and mania together but not be related to a bipolar condition.

• Atypical symptoms can include emotions that are not usually associated with depression (increased appetite or the arms and legs having a heavy feeling).

Depression affects every corner of life. The feelings of sadness prevent a person from participating in social activities, exercise, or sometimes even going outside. Work productivity often suffers. Untreated depression can lead to complications with heart disease, diabetes, or even obesity.