Depression mental illness by Jean Taylor

Do you suffer from depression? Are you close to someone who suffers from depression? Do you try to hide this fact from the rest of the world? Depression is a mental illness. MENTAL illness. Oh that can't be admitted to anyone! Why not? We accept that our physical body becomes ill, gets diseased, sustains injury so why not our brain?

There is such a stigma attached that we are kept from disclosing to others what is wrong. Others appear to think that a sufferer is either "mad" or needs to pull himself together.

Fortunately society is coming round to the realisation that depression is as much an illness as cancer. For this reason it is becoming easier for the sufferer to seek help by admitting to himself that there is something wrong which needs medical attention.

How do you know when to see your doctor, or persuade your family member or friend that she should seek help? Well depression can come suddenly or creep up gradually so you will decide by what you see or feel. Sudden depression can descend as a full blown mental illness for which the doctor, or ambulance, will immediately be called. In these cases it is taken out of the hands of the sufferer.

Supposing though it has crept up very slowly and is held at bay at certain times but comes out at others. Then you will need to look for various symptoms. Make out a check list and actively observe what is happening.

 Mood is depressed. By this I do not mean that the sufferer is a bit blue. This is an ongoing sadness and emptiness. Can be expressed by appearing very tearful. Cannot be shaken off.

 Feelings of worthlessness. Not wanting to tackle anything because of the sureness that it will not turn out right as they are useless at everything

 Lack of interest. Cannot get enthused by tasks or events which have in the past been a joy. Doesn't want to do anything about it. Maybe does try but can't get involved. Takes no pleasure in anything. Everything is pointless.

 Lack of concentration. Unable to keep the mind focused on the task in hand. May flit from one thing to another without achieving any end result.

 Can't sleep, or sleeps too long. Depression often turns a person into an insomniac. Can't get to sleep easily. Then wakes often throughout the night taking a long time to get off to sleep again. Can have trouble waking and getting up when morning comes.

 Lethargy. Throughout the day feeling tired and lacking in energy

 Weight loss. There may be a lack of interest in eating and drinking and over time this will result in weight loss without conscious dieting or exercise. Tempt with little and often but don't expect the sufferer to tuck into a three course lunch.

 Thoughts of death and/or suicide. May have ideas as to committing suicide or even some sort of plan.

If you keep a record of what you see or feel over a two week time span you will discover just how much affect this mental illness is having. Don't expect to see all these symptoms. Also it is not always easy to spot as there may be quite a lot of cover up if the sufferer is at a stage where he can attempt to put on a front for others to see.

Let's suppose that the sufferer is someone close to you, perhaps within the family. You see them everyday. You will be able to keep an eye on the condition so that you are aware of what is happening when the sufferer is entering an episode of depression. The person himself does not always notice. If you can see an episode starting you can suggest the taking of the prescribed medication.

Be prepared. Depression very, very rarely goes away forever. It recurs. Just be ready to take action on behalf of the sufferer.

Knowing about this illness helps both sufferers and carers. For more information about depression, visit Depression FAQs