Depression

Depression is a stress related illness. It is the most common mental illness. One in six women suffer and one in nine men. It is thought men are more reluctant to seek help or even admit they have depression.

Depression varies from ''the blues'' to something more serious culminating in a feeling of hopelessness and dispair.

Depression often centers around the lack of purpose in your life and the thought that it might even be better to end it. This is the point which is critical and could result in suicide.

- please if you suffer depression don't let it get that far before you seek professional help.

What is depression and how does it start?

Depression doesn't always have a definite cause and can strike suddenly. It is related to stress and if you are stressed for a long period you are likely to become depressed.

Your depression may start with a feeling of being under the weather. However you can still prevent full depression from affecting you.

When depression begins and you feel low, your self esteem falls and you lose your motivation. Procrastination sets in and you feel worse. This is the start of a spiral downwards.

The symptoms

Can't make decisions
Waking in the early morning
Wanting to cry
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Drinking too much
Eating too much
Loss of interest in sex
Not caring about your appearance
Becoming withdrawn
Feeling you can't be bothered
Suffering from poor self esteem
Can't concentrate
Lack of self confidence
Feeling isolated or lonely
Lacking purpose in your life
If you have several symptoms you may be depressed. You need to do something now before it gets worse. This website will give you many ideas but

- you must make a decision to help yourself now!

- see a doctor!

Can I prevent depression?

Unless you suffer from one of the serious mood disorders which are sometimes hereditary you can prevent it. You can fight off the early stages and guard against it.

Depression is stress related and stress begins in your mind therefore your mind can also make you well again.

Depression - you can help cure yourself !

To cure yourself :

Accept you are ill and need help
Know about your illness, learn all you can - knowledge is power!
Seek support from others including professional help if symptoms are moderate or begin to affect your daily life
Learn how to beat your depression
Get motivation
Focus on your self esteem and confidence
Medication may ease your symptoms and allow you to begin the healing process
You can see most of these come from within you but 3 and 4 are external. You need the help that a doctor or friends can give in terms of advice and support. However, you MUST have your own support, you need to decide and act to beat depression!