There are many amazing things to love about fall. Pumpkins, Cider, Smores, and Sweaters .. However, for some, when all the leaves start to fall and the sky is grey, they tend to turn inward and become more sad and depressed. *Please note that sad and depressed are NOT the same thing.*
I suppose that since I felt I needed to add that footnote is precisely the reason that October has been designated NATIONAL DEPRESSION EDUCATION & AWARENESS MONTH.
As we wrap up October, I thought I would compile some facts about depression to help my readers to further their Education and Awareness of depression and aide in starting a conversation about it.
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, about 14.8 million adults in the U.S. are affected by Major Depressive Disorder. Because of this, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24, and those numbers are currently on the rise.
Too often, depression is misunderstood as simply “feeling sad.” The fact of the matter is, depression is the opposite of simple; it’s a complex condition that can affect people no matter the age, gender, race, or life situation.
Some symptoms of depression include depressed mood, loss of pleasure in all or most activities, weight/appetite change, change in sleep and activity, fatigue and loss of energy, lack of concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts.
The causes of depression aren't completely understood, but it is believed that the best explanation for it is that it is probably caused a combination of factors, such as an underlying genetic tendency towards the condition and certain environmental factors that can act as triggers.
Sometimes people become depressed for what seems like a "good" reason—maybe they lost their job or a close friend passed away—but with clinical depression, there doesn't necessarily have to be a reason for how you feel. The chemicals in the brain that are responsible for mood control may be out of balance causing you to feel bad even though everything in your life is going well.
Depression in the United States is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44.
Depression in the Workplace accounts for $23 billion in lost workdays each year.
Bipolar Disorder affects 2.6% of the U.S. adult population, or 6.3 million people.
Postpartum Depression has a higher risk of developing in women with a previous experience with depression, current depression, anxiety and low partner support.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects 2 – 4% of the adult U.S population, or 5 – 9 million people and has a median age of onset of 31 years.
There are several very effective treatment options available for moderate and severe depression, including medications and psychotherapy.
You may wonder what steps to take if you or someone you love are showing signs of depression. You can begin by educating yourself about the symptoms and treatment as well as the myths, misunderstandings and stigma.
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