Depression Got You Down?

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Nearly twice as many women are affected by depression as men. According to the National Institute of Mental health depression affects about 9.9 million Americans each year.

Could you be suffering from depression? What are some of the signs of depression?

Depression comes in many forms. Fatigue is one of the signs of depression. A person feels run down with very little energy. They may start to see changes in their sleeping patterns. Some need more sleep while others have a hard time to stay asleep. When your sleep is affected you may begin to have a difficult time concentrating on activities. Sleep is not the only reason you may not be able to concentrate. Many people experience anxiety and worry and this can play a big part of persons thought process. Depression can cause you to lose interest in activities that you once enjoyed.

There are many causes of depression. Stress in one's life can play a role in depression. Learning to deal with stress and the proper coping skills can help alleviative depression. Often times you will see that depression runs in a family. Medication can have adverse side effects that can cause unwanted depression. If you experience depression as a result of medication contact your health care provider at once.

If you feel that you may be suffering from depression seek out medical attention. Depression may not be preventable but it is treatable. Your health care provider will want to know how long you have been experiencing signs of depression so keep that in mind when you plan your appointment with them.

People with mild depression are encouraged to exercise daily. Proper exercise is shown to boost feel good endorphins to the brain. Daily exercise will also boost self confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment. Exercise can also help if you are having difficulty sleeping due to depression.

Changing your sleeping pattern may also help with depression. Avoiding caffeinated beverages close to bedtime and cutting out naps during the day may help with sleeping problems.

If your health care provider puts you on medication keep in mind that in can take several weeks to see the full results. Do not for get to take any medication prescribed and do not go off of any medication without consulting with your care provider first.