Depression

Facts About Depression

• Depression affects over 19 million Americans each year.
• Fewer than 50% of depressed people seek treatment.
• Statistically, twice as many women experience clinical depression as men.
• 80% of the suicides in the US are men.
• Men may experience depression differently (See below).
• The ratio of male to female substance abusers is 4 men for every woman.
• Men and women are equally at risk for Bipolar depression.
• Depression before puberty is uncommon.
• 2% - 3% of teenagers get depressed each year.
• Depression often coexists with other medical or mental illnesses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Heart Disease
• Depression is the number one cause of death in heart disease patients.
• Depression rates go up during the holiday season.
• Depression often exists after major surgery.
• 30% of smokers are depressed.
• “Foods“, like sweets and alcohol, exacerbate depression. The body processes alcohol into sugars.

Symptoms of Typical (overt) Depression

• Depressed mood.
• Diminished interest or pleasure in activities.
• Significant change in appetite or weight.
• Sleep disturbances (to much/to little).
• Restlessness or sluggishness.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Lack of concentration or indecision.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Feelings of inappropriate guilt.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

Symptoms of Male (covert/atypical) Depression

• Isolation.
• Avoids intimacy with self or others.
• Excessive use of alcohol, drugs or other forms of self-medication.
• Lashing out or hostility: Potential for domestic abuse.
• Need to control at all costs.
• Ashamed of who they are.
• Inflated ego.
• Angry, irritable, restless and agitated.
• Creates conflict.