Depression is a disease which affects a person’s physical as well as psychological well-being. It affects the way a person goes about his daily life, his activities, his routine, and even his thoughts. Being depressed is not the same with being moody. In contradiction with the male viewpoint on depression, it is not a sign of weakness nor a condition that can be easily be conquered at will. Depression is a very dangerous and serious disorder that can last for weeks, months and even years if taken for granted. It is a disorder which requires an appropriate treatment administered by an appropriate medical practitioner and it is not to be taken lightly.
The symptoms of depression varies from person to person. They are dependent on the severity of the depression and the symptoms can also depend on gender. Depression can cause a lot of changes specifically on: thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physique.
Depressed people experience problems with concentration and decision making. It is even reported that depression can actually affect short term memory. Depressed people are often pessimistic, have poor self-esteem, expresses excessive guilt, and often inflict self-criticism on themselves.
Depressed people may also feel sad or irritable for no apparent reason. They lose interest in activities that they found pleasurable before. They also lose motivation and are indifferent with their surroundings. They also feel very tired even when they didn’t do anything that much. In extreme situations, depressed people can also feel helpless, hopeless and worthless.
These negative emotional feelings during depression are coupled with negative physical emotions. Depression can rob rest from people because some people will find it hard to sleep soundly. Depression can also cause people to lose their appetite for food. Lack of rest and food can greatly affect a person’s health.
Depression, in itself, can kill. As mentioned above, it has a number of adverse effects on a person’s well-being. It gradually depletes a person’s energy to live and enjoy life. It tires and tortures the body and the mind; that is its potent killing mechanism until those negative thoughts eventually turn into suicidal thoughts. Depression is a lethal weapon that can serve as the core reason why people commit suicide. A lethal dose of negative thoughts can consume a person and push him to consider ending the tragedy by committing suicide.
Although most depressed people do not kill themselves, depression left untreated can push people to commit suicide. Suicide is a common thought in times of depression. Severely depressed people do not have the energy to harm themselves. They attempt suicide when their depression is momentarily lifted. Statistics show that about 15% of people diagnosed to be clinically depressed commit suicide.
Depression may be the trigger for suicide but it is clear that misconceptions and ignorance about depression is the root cause for suicide. Facts show that about two thirds of the people with depression do not realize that they are depressed. This then leads them to not seek any medical assistance about their condition. Also, only a mere 20% of people with extreme depression receive consistent treatment. A recent study in Canada even reveals that 24% of people who had suicide attempts do not seek medical help. The same goes for the 48% of patients who had suicidal tendencies.
This just shows that depression is being taken lightly by people and this indifference towards depression is the very reason why suicide is one of the leading causes of death among those who are clinically depressed.
Suicide Hotline —– 1-800-SUICIDE
National Suicide Prevention Helpline —— 1-800-273-TALK
National Adolescent Suicide Hotline ——1-800-621-4000
Suicide Hotline (Deaf) ——– 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
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Depression & Suicide Facts
15% of individuals who are diagnosed as clinically depressed take their own lives.
Firearms is the most common method among both men and women.
The US ranks 39th among countries with a suicide rate of 17.7 people per every 100,000.
Men are more than four times likely to die by suicide, however women are twice as likely to report a failed suicide attempt.
90% of people who die by suicide have a history of mental disorders, prior suicide attempts, family history of suicide or a personal history of violence or substance abuse.
