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by WHAT IS A DEPRESSION?
Our life is full of emotional ups and downs and everyone experiences the “blues” from time to time. But when the “down” times become long and lasting or interfere with your ability to function at home and work, you may be suffering from a common but serious illness – depression.
Clinical depression affects your mood, mind, body and behaviour. Research has shown that 5-6% of the population will suffer from depression during the course of their lives and nearly 2 out of 3 persons suffering will not get the help they need.
Treatment can alleviate the symptoms in over 80% of cases. Yet, because it often goes unrecognised, depression continues to cause unnecessary suffering.
Depression is a "whole-body” illness, involving your body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself and the way you think about life and other things.
Depression IS NOT the same as a blue mood that will pass. Depression IS NOT a sign of weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
People with depression cannot just “pull themselves together” and get better.
Without treatment symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
