Why Are You So Sad?
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A depressive disorder is not a passing blue mood but rather persistent feelings of sadness and worthlessness and a lack of desire to engage in formerly pleasurable activities. A complex mind/body illness, depression can be treated with drugs and therapy.
Definition A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her.
A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together� and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most people who experience it need treatment to get better. however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are described here. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms as well as their severity and persistence.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
Dysthymic disorder, also called dysthymia, involves long-term (two years or longer) less severe symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning normally or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
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Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time. Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down� Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Insomnia, early morning awakening or oversleeping Appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts Restlessness, irritability Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain
Causes
There is no single known cause of depression. Rather, it likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.
Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior appear to function abnormally. In addition, important neurotransmitters—chemicals that brain cells use to communicate appear to be out of balance. But these images do not reveal why the depression has occurred.
Some types of depression tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. However, depression can occur in people without family histories of it as well. Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other factors. In addition, trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.
Depression in Women Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Biological, life cycle, hormonal, and other factors unique to women may be linked to their higher depression rate. Researchers have shown that hormones directly affect brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. Some women may be susceptible to a severe form of premenstrual syndrome called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women affected by PMDD typically experience depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings the week before menstruation, in such a way that interferes with their normal functioning. Women with debilitating PMDD do not necessarily have unusual hormone changes, but they do have different responses to these changes. They may also have a history of other mood disorders and differences in brain chemistry that cause them to be more sensitive to menstruation-related hormone changes. Scientists are exploring how the cyclical rise and fall of estrogen and other hormones may affect the brain chemistry that is associated with depressive illness. For example, women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes, along with the new responsibility of caring for a newborn, can be overwhelming. Many new mothers experience a brief episode of the "baby blues," but some will develop postpartum depression, a much more serious condition that requires active treatment and emotional support for the new mother. Some studies suggest that women who experience postpartum depression have had prior depressive episodes. Treatment by a sympathetic physician and the family's emotional support for the new mother are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her physical and mental well-being as well as her ability to care for and enjoy the infant. Many women also face additional stresses of work and home responsibilities, single parenthood and caring for children and aging parents, abuse, poverty, and relationship strains. It remains unclear why some women faced with enormous challenges develop depression, while others with similar challenges do not.
Depression in Men Researchers estimate that at least 6 million men in the United States suffer from a depressive disorder every year. Research and clinical evidence reveal that while both women and men can develop the standard symptoms of depression, they often experience depression differently and may have different ways of coping with the symptoms. Men may be more willing to acknowledge fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt. Some researchers question whether the standard definition of depression and the diagnostic tests based upon it adequately capture the condition as it occurs in men. Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. One study shows that, although depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women, only men suffer a high death rate. Instead of acknowledging their feelings, asking for help, or seeking appropriate treatment, men may turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed, or become frustrated, discouraged, angry, irritable, and, sometimes, violently abusive. Some men deal with depression by throwing themselves compulsively into their work, attempting to hide their depression from themselves, family, and friends. Other men may respond to depression by engaging in reckless behavior, taking risks, and putting themselves in harm's way.
More than four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, even though women make more suicide attempts during their lives. In light of the research indicating that suicide is often associated with depression, the alarming suicide rate among men may reflect the fact that many men with depression do not obtain adequate diagnosis and treatment that may be life saving. Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Encouragement and support from concerned family members can make a difference. In the workplace, employee assistance professionals or work-site mental health programs can be of assistance in helping men understand and accept depression as a real illness that needs treatment.
Depression in the Elderly Some people have the mistaken idea that it is normal for the elderly to feel depressed. On the contrary, older people feel satisfied with their lives. Sometimes, though, when depression develops, it may be dismissed as a normal part of aging. However, when older adults do have depression, it may be overlooked because seniors may show different, less obvious symptoms, and may be less inclined to experience or acknowledge feelings of sadness or grief. In addition, older adults may have more medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke or cancer, which may cause depressive symptoms, or they may be taking medications with side effects that contribute to depression. Some older adults may experience what doctors call vascular depression, also called arteriosclerotic depression or subcortical ischemic depression. Vascular depression may result when blood vessels become less flexible and harden over time, becoming constricted. Such hardening of vessels prevents normal blood flow to the body's organs, including the brain. Those with vascular depression may have, or be at risk for, a co-existing cardiovascular illness or stroke.
The majority of older adults with depression improve when they receive treatment with an antidepressant, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Research has shown that medication alone and combination treatment are both effective in reducing the rate of depressive recurrences in older adults. Psychotherapy alone also can be effective in prolonging periods free of depression, especially for older adults with minor depression, and it is particularly useful for those who are unable or unwilling to take antidepressant medication.Improved recognition and treatment of depression in late life will make those years more enjoyable and fulfilling for the depressed elderly person, the family, and caretakers.
“Major depressive� disorder (MDD)
Can you tell us about yourself? My name is Eff, Pitikorn Upanisakorn. I’m 22 years old. I studied at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, but after studied for like two years I decided to resign because I wanted to find myself, to find what I really want in life. At that time I told myself that after drop out I would find money by myself brcause I didn’t want to disturb my parents so I did lots of part time job and doing things to find what I really want. There were lots of time that things did not go as I wanted. Like I used to dream to do that but I couldn’t. moreover, I broke up with my boyfriend so at that time I felt like a loser.I used to be a confident person. I really believed in myself and my ability. When I was a kid I thought that if we really put our effort into something, we will definitely succeed. So I tried my best in everything but un the end it came out wrong.
I used to play music after dropped out from university. And I did bodybuilding too because I was quite thin and I wanted my body to look better, and if my body looked good, it might help me find jobs esier. Jobs like trainer or athlete. I exercised everyday. I did like the bodybuilder do. Monday do the chest part and Tuesday arms and legs. But there’s the problem, I was backache. At first I thought it might not be a big deal but it turns out that it is Scoliosis. I felt like my dream could not be true anymore because people who has Scoliosis are told not to hold heavy things. So I thought that why when I try my best in everything, it always turns out wrong. I tried to stay positive, telling myself that failure is normal, but the deep part in me cannot accept it. then I broke up with my girlfriend and I started to think that I might have depression. The changing is, when I was kid I used to be confident and believe in myself. But at that time when things went wrong I felt like what I had done in all my life was wrong. I had done nothing right. And it turns out that I started to be a person who not believes in myself anymore. From a confident person, now I did not have a courage to speak when I was asked about something. When I found myself changing, like it’s not me anymore, I tried to figure it out. I tried to stay positive but it didn’t get better. I started to feel like I’m worthless and not be wanted. I cannot find an answer that why we have to live when life and death are equal. At that time I did not want to die but I just can’t find a reason to live. Everybody was born and in the end we have to die. I just could not find a will to live. Then I started to think that what I felt right now is something that should be fixed because I could not live with this, the feeling that why we exist, so I decide to find a doctor last year.
I went to Tanyaburi hospital first because I can use social security there. The docter said that I might not have a depression because I was young and comparing to other people who are older than me and they went through things much more than me. But I know myself so I asked him to send me to other psychiatrist at Pathumtani hospital I asked the docter like that because I know myself. I know there was something wrong. People might think that I am fine but I knew I wasn’t and I need to be fixed. Then I went there during May, last year. I told the doctor about my story, my thought, my feelings. The docter said that I had a severe depression. He gave me medicine and it helped me to sleep better because people who have depression have the problem that they cannot sleep. Or in some people they want to sleep more even they have slept for like ten hours. I used to sleep like until noon the next day or went to sleep at six in the morning. I think I like the time during night because it is quite serene. My sleep habit was ruined. During the night I did not do anything much: sitting in the living room, surfing the internet, posted something cheesy on facebook. Sometimes when I felt bad I cired, alone in the room. Listening to music while crying. . I had eaten medicine for one or two weeks and I felt I was not get better. It was mor horrible. I started to think about suicide. I told my parents what my symptom be like and what kind of words they should not use with me. The kind of blaming words can make me cry even they want to warn me but I could not accept it. When I found out that I have depression, I went home and tell my father but he didn’t believe it so I gave him Medical certificate. They was a bit shocked but not much because there was someone in family that have depression too. He said he was disappointed because he tried to raise me to have no worry and stress, but I ended up have depression.
During the second week I think about suicide. If I was asked why, it might be because what my parents told me. It was not a bad word but it can hurt me. I felt completely bad. I blamed on the doctor and medicine that it would not help. The world is hurting me. It did not want me to stay. I want a supports. I argued with my father. I told him that if he don’t stop talking I will stab myself right now. I called the counseller and they gave me the kind attention. They asked me to continue eating medicine. I told them that when I went to doctor they did not talk to me much. They said that it’s because the doctor did not want to put a pressure on me.
Now do you have to still taking medicine? Yes, I still taking medicine. But the docter said that I’m getting better and I might stop taking medicine next month.People who has depression do not have to taking medicine all their life but in some people they have to take it for a long time. In my case I had to take medicine from the doctor and try to change my point of view. I try to be more positive in everything.What I change is my thought, my action and my words. Thought is the most important because it leads to action and words. We cannot know what people think if they don’t speak it out loud. If our thoughts are okay, everything will be alright
What is the beginning of this open-hap campaign? Like I said that when I had depression I felt so worthless, so I try to find a way to help me find meaning in life. I inspire and courage people that things will get better. Depression can be cured. They thank me and said that I encourage them to live. And it’s the beginning of this campaign around Rangsit area. If people feel unhappy, they can get a free hug. Yes, I still taking medicine. But the docter said that I’m getting better and I might stop taking medicine next month.People who has depression do not have to taking medicine all their life but in some people they have to take it for a long time. In my case I had to take medicine from the doctor and try to change my point of view. I try to be more positive in everything.What I change is my thought, my action and my words. Thought is the most important because it leads to action and words. We cannot know what people think if they don’t speak it out loud. If our thoughts are okay, everything will be alright However, there are some obstacles doing this campaign. Sometimes I cried while playing the guitar. I thought that I could not do this anymore. I thought that I should find myself happiness because I gave it to many people already.I met a senior in my group. He had a depression too and he told me to study about morals. At first I thought that it cannot help. Then I studied about “middle path” and I agreed with it. It said that we should not disturb ourself. This is the point that I’ve been missing. I w always give love to others but me. So I started to take care of myself more. Before we give help to others, we have to give it to ourself first. we cannot care about every people. We have to care for ourself. I try to say the word screw it more often because we cannot control everything in this world. I’ve learned from the bhudda a lot: greed, mind and angry. Morals really help. It helps fresh our mind and thought. And it is not only in bhuddist but also in Islam and Christianity.
Can you tell us about the group of depression, at first you were just a member but now you are the admin...... Fisrt I am member because I want to find friends who be like me , and I want to learn and share experience with other people. Then the admin at that time, Som, ask me to be the admin. I have to take care about the post in the group and the rules because I want it to be a place for sharing not for any merchandise.
What do you think when people say that when people who have depression staying to gether it might be worse. It can be worse but if we let this group of people stay with others who don’t understand us, they will have to listen to words that make them feel bad. But if we stick together, we understand each other more.
Does people around you effect you? Yes, a bit. Like I said that when you had depression, everything can effect you. The most thing that can effect you is people in your family. Every words, every actions, even they care for us but sometimes their words can hurt us so much. Moreover, what I want to say is you should not say something bad to to others because sometimes your words really effect.
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Music list Cold play - Yellow Cold play - Fix you Tatoo colour - ฟ้า Tatoo colour -เกาะรักห่างรัก Tatoo colour - จำ�ทำ�ไม Tatoo colour - ขาหมู Tatoo colour - ลับสุดยอด Tatoo colour - โกหก Tatoo colour - รักแรกพบ Mild - Unloveable Mild - ผู้ป่วยความจำ�เสื่อม Mild - กรรมตามสนอง เสกโลโซ - ผู้ชนะ เสกโลโซ - ซมซาน Sily fools - เพียงรัก Sily fools - วัดใจ ป้าง - ภูมิแพ้กรุงเทพ ป้าง - ทำ�อะไรสักอย่าง ลาบานูน - แพ้ทาง ลาบานูน - ยาม คาราบาว - ดาวมหาลัย คาราบาว - ลูกรอ คาราบาว - ทะเลใจ คาราบาว - นางงามตู้กระจก ป๊อบปองกูล - ปล่อย cresendo - ใจกลางความเจ็บปวด Getsunova - อีกไกลแค่ไหนคือใกล้ Cocktail - เธอ paradox - ฤดูร้อน ขอนแก่น - ลืม synkonize - เข้ากันไม่ได้