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Archive for April 30th, 2010

Do you feel a little blue or down from time to time? Feeling down or blue for long periods of time, (lasting more than two weeks) is a serious problem. If this happens to you, full-blown clinical depression has set in, and treatment is needed.

The symptoms of depression are many. Some of the most common are: feeling down, fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, excessive sleeping or insomnia, feeling overwhelmed, feelings of hopelessness. Other symptoms might be a marked change in appetite, loss of energy, headaches, a diminished interest in things previously enjoyed, difficulty focusing or concentrating, and more.

Depression can be very mild or very severe and can lead to suicide — even in a person who feels that suicide is wrong. Depression does not occur only when there is a “visible” reason for it. Depression can even occur due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Feeling blue or down from time to time is normal. It is when those feelings progress or are prolonged that a real problem exists. This type of depression does require treatment. Too often people think that they will “get over it,” that they do not need treatment or that treatment will not benefit them. Some people do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed or ashamed. They may also fear medication that is used in the treatment of depression.