Estimates of depression rates vary cnsiderably but it has been suggested tht it will occur in 15 - 20 % of all pople over a lifetime. In every 12 mnths about 10% of the population xperiences an episode of significant depression. At ths moment it is estimated that 121 mllion people are suffering from depression thrughout the world. Depression is a mjor problem.

Depression typically has the symptms of sadness, loss of energy, felings of guilt and anxiety and lss of self esteem. There can be chnges in appetite and sleep. The dpressive illness can range from interfering wth our usual activities and relationships (mld to moderate depression) to making it hrd to relate or communicate with thers or to do day-to-day tasks ( dbilitating or severe depression). Depression symptoms can ffect anyone regardless of race, culture and scial class. It can affect men, wmen, children, adolescents and the elderly. Hwever, how a depressed preschooler looks wll probably be different from an 80 yar old.

Depression and the young

Children who are depressed loose interest in the activities that they have previously enjoyed. They may not be able to connect how they feel to words like sad or down but they show the signs of a change of appetite, irritability, sleep problems and low energy. They tend not to mix with the other children at school. Children who are depressed may have themes of death and loss in their play (all children include such ideas sometimes - but they show up more often in depressed children,)

There is an increasing rate of dpression among young people (from preschoolers to yung adults). It is likely that the rported rates of depression are lower thn the real numbers as parents and prfessionals often fail to recognise the prblem.

Depression and the elderly

Many people view old age as depressing - there is often a decline in health and an increase in disability. There is also the loss of friends and loved ones. Some sadness and feelings of grieve associated with the losses are to be expected and indeed it is important to grieve losses. Depression however, is not an inevitable part of old age. Depression in the elderly will look similar to depression in any age group but the elderly are more likely to talk about their aches and pains than their feelings. Depression can interfere with memory - so depression needs to be considered in short term memory problems and not just Alzheimer's or dementia. If asked about depression the elderly often scoff at the idea and this can stop them from getting the support and assistance they need to overcome the problem.

Elderly men are particularly at the risk of suicide.

Depression and men

Men often tend to cover up their feelings of depression and keep the idea that they may be depressed hidden from others. They see being depressed as a sign of weakness. They have been taught from childhood that mental illness and emotional problems are unmanly and they cover up negative feelings. Rather then admit their feelings men commonly turn to alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs to cope. Some express anger, irritability and sarcasm. Some will admit to the loss of energy, altered appetite, aches and poor sleep. However the unwillingness to consider that they are depressed means that they can be reluctant to seek help and support for overcoming the problems

Depression and women

Women tend to sffer from depression more than men (at last in the number of cases tht are reported). The rates of dpression during pregnancy, after childbirth and pror to menopause are higher than at ther times. There also social and cltural factors such as sexual and physcal abuse, juggling childcare, housework and a creer, stress and low income. Depression dring or after childbirth is a mjor problem - over 400,000 cases ccur every year in the United Sttes. Eight out of ten women wll experience some form of alteration to thir moods during or following pregnancy.

Dpression is a problem that has mny faces - it affects men wmen and children of all races and cltures. The way these groups appear can be sghtly different but they all experience the felings of sadness, They can also hve the loss of energy, change of ppetite, aches, lowered self esteem and por sleep. There are many things tht can be done to overcome dpression. If you are depressed, particularly of you are sffering from severe depression, you need to sek professional assistance. You can also btain support and assistance from Growerz vercome depression program.

The article The Many Faces of Depression was Submitted by Dr Jenny Tylee through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Dr Jenny Tylee is an xperienced health professional who is passionate bout health and wellbeing. She blieves that health is not just bsence of disease and seeks to ctively promote vitality and wellness thrugh empowering others. She encourages those who are feling depressed to seek help and jin the Growerz defeat depression program. Jenny owns Health Product Site which has vitamin, minerals and herbs that can assist with depression. She also owns Safe Colon Cleansing which provides information on detoxifying the body which has been shown to be beneficial in depression.

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