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It is quite normal to feel down in the dumps now and again or to have the blues and feel like your stuck in a rut, and most of us have felt like this at some point in our lives. But sometimes these feelings can go deeper than that and we can become clinicaly depressed.

But just how do we know if it is just the blues, or if we really do need help? This site is all about trying to help you decide if you have depression, how to recognize the symptoms, and how to get treatment.

Some people believe that depression is just that “depression”, but in fact there are many different types, and each type is treated differently. So up the top there you can find some different articles that are dedicated to the different types of depression.

We also have a Video section where you will find a large amount of free videos with all kinds of information about depression.

Lastly in order to understand depression fully we need all the information we can gather, that is why we included a book section, with the best selection of depression books picked from amazon.

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The symptoms are very similar to clinical depression. They include restlessness, anxiety and sadness. Feelings of guilt, a lack of motivation and energy, and an overwhelming sense of worthlessness are common. Symptoms can be so severe that some mothers find it difficult to care for or bond with their new baby.

Sometimes postpartum depression is not immediately diagnosed because it has many symptoms in common with pregnancy. New mothers are typically fatigued, don’t sleep well and suffer from lack of energy whether they are depressed or not. It’s important to determine whether additional symptoms of depression are present as well.

Postpartum depression is also easily confused with what many call the “baby blues.” This is a short period of low mood that many women experience after childbirth. The difference is that these feelings go away after a few weeks. If symptoms worsen or persist longer than a couple of weeks, a doctor should be consulted.

Postpartum depression is caused by radical changes in hormone levels. During pregnancy, levels of estrogen and progesterone are greatly increased. After childbirth (as well as miscarriage and stillbirth), these hormone levels quickly return to normal levels–often in as little as 24 hours. This rapid drop can trigger depression. In a few cases, thyroid hormones drop after childbirth as well. Low thyroid hormone levels can also cause symptoms of depression. This can be determined with a blood test and treated with medication.

This condition responds well to treatment. Like other types of depression, it is treated with a combination of counseling and antidepressants. If you are breast-feeding, make sure your doctor takes this into account when prescribing. Meanwhile, make sure to get as much rest as possible, exercise a little every day and eat well. Support from friends and family will help too.

It’s important to keep in mind that postpartum depression is not your fault. The feelings that it brings don’t make you a bad mother. But severe cases can affect your ability to give your child the best care possible. So don’t delay seeking treatment. Get the help you need and you will quickly return to enjoying life and enjoying your new baby.

The key feature of bipolar disorder is severe mood swings from deep depression to mania. The lows experienced are very similar to major depression. Depressive episodes commonly last about 14 days. A quick upward shift in mood marks the beginning of a manic episode. Along with this improvement in mood comes increased energy, decreased need for sleep and a burst of productivity. This may be accompanied by a feeling of euphoria. Sufferers of bipolar disorder rarely seek treatment during manic episodes.

However, while the patient may sense productivity and energetic activity, others view it as being dangerous and out of control. Manic episodes usually include becoming very talkative, extremely excitable and active to the point of exhaustion. There is also a tendency to engage in risky behaviors.

Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that is remarkably difficult to diagnose. People often endure this condition for years before being properly diagnosed. Although the cause is related to brain chemistry, the disorder tends to run in families, indicating a genetic link. The disorder is recurrent–meaning that once a person experiences a manic episode, there’s a 90 percent chance they will experience another one.

The primary treatment for bipolar disorder is medication. A combination of medications seems to be the most effective treatment. Antidepressants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizing agents and anti-convulsants are commonly prescribed to stop the wide mood swings that characterize this disorder. During a lifetime of treatment, it is expected that medications will need to be adjusted or changed altogether. One single prescription is unlikely to work the same way all the time. Psychotherapy is used in some cases, but is rarely effective without medication.

If left untreated, bipolar disorder can be particularly dangerous. From 15 to 17 percent of untreated cases end in suicide (compared to about 10 percent of untreated major depression sufferers).

Like most forms of depression, there is nothing that the individual sufferer did to deserve or cause bipolar disorder. There should be no stigma or embarrassment attached to having the condition. The most important thing is to seek treatment and begin managing the disorder as soon as possible.

Depression among adolescents continues to increase each year. Factors that increase the likelihood of depression include chronic or long-term illness, a history of abuse or neglect, or some sort of recent trauma (like loss of a loved one). Teenage girls are more likely to become depressed than boys.

Symptoms of teenage depression are very similar to those experienced by adults. Loss of interest or reduced pleasure in activities, an irritable mood, changes in appetite, unintentional weight loss or weight gain, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much and difficulty concentrating and making decisions are all associated with teenage depression. Like adult depression, if any of these symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, you should seek medical assistance.

A health care provider will probably begin by ruling out any medical causes for the symptoms that have been observed. They may wish to also screen for substance abuse. Diagnosis of teenage depression would depend on the results of a thorough psychiatric screening and evaluation.

The teen years are usually a period of significant change. Self-identity is changing, sexuality is emerging, and many life-altering decisions are made. Adolescent depression often exists side-by-side with other mental health issues, like eating disorders, substance abuse, disruptive behavior and anxiety. If left untreated, adolescent depression can have tragic, irreversible consequences.

Treatment for teen depression is not quite as clear-cut as major depression in adults. Many of the most successful antidepressant medications for adults have not been as successful in treating teen depression. In fact, some antidepressants have been linked to increased chances of suicide in adolescents.

One of the most promising avenues of treatment for adolescents with depression is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The idea behind CBT is that teen depression results from a distorted view of reality. CBT helps teens change their view of themselves, the world, and their future.

Low moods are very common during the teenage years. Maintaining open communication with adolescents is the best way to help them negotiate these difficult years and has the best chance of preventing a major depressive episode.

Major depression is a collection of symptoms that interferes with the ability to handle daily life. Also known as clinical depression, this is what most people think of when the subject of depression comes up. The symptoms of major depression are severe–sufferers may find it nearly impossible to even get out of bed in the morning.

Dysthymia is a depression that lasts for two years or more, but with somewhat milder symptoms than major depression. Dysthymia is sometimes referred to as chronic depression. It does not disable to the extent that major depression does, but still prevents sufferers from functioning normally or working at their best. In addition, people with dysthymic disorder may also suffer episodes of major depression.

Specific symptoms of dysthymic disorder include sleep difficulties (sleeping too much or too little), lack of energy or fatigue, a feeling of hopelessness, lowered self-esteem and a difficulty making decisions or concentrating.

Because dysthymia is milder and may only involve a few symptoms, it is much more likely to go undiagnosed and untreated. The symptoms of dysthymia tend to be more enduring and are more resistant to treatment.

Manic depression (or bipolar disorder) is characterized by cycles of mania and depression. Mania refers to periods of excitement, overactivity, delusions and extreme responses. It may include violence. Manic episodes normally last for at least a week. It also includes an elevated self-esteem, less need for sleep and excessive movement. People in the midst of mania may become involved in risky, but pleasurable behavior. They are easily distracted and more talkative than usual. In some cases, the symptoms are so severe that hospitalization is required to prevent harm to self or to others.

Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs among new mothers a few months after they give birth. It is more serious and intense than the normal “baby blues” that occur in the first weeks after delivery. PPD is thought to be caused by hormone changes, but is more likely to occur in difficult situations (low partner support, a colicky baby, or history of depression).

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is another form of depression. It is connected to seasonal changes, usually occurring every fall or winter. The cause of SAD is not completely understood, but it seems to be related to changes in the amount of sunlight available. Lack of sunlight may affect sleep rhythms or the balance of chemicals in the brain. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between seasonal affective disorder and depression. Light therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for some people, but others require antidepressant medications.

Treatments for depression usually include either counseling, prescription antidepressants or a combination of both. Although treatment is often quite helpful, it should be understood that it may take several attempts discover the most effective treatment. Depression is an incredibly complex condition that responds to treatment in a variety of ways. It’s essential to be completely transparent and truthful when you discuss how you feel with your health care provider.

Prescription medications for depression are not habit-forming in most cases. Your doctor will want to monitor you closely for the first few months just to make sure that the most effective dosage has been prescribed. Antidepressants typically don’t work right away, but rather take several weeks to build up to therapeutic levels in your system. Do your best not to skip doses or to stop taking medications without your doctor’s advice.

Your doctor will probably prescribe medications that seek to restore balance to your brain chemistry. Most depression has been linked to low levels or inefficient use of certain neurotransmitters. The solultion for most people is to increase the levels or usage of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Almost all cases of major depression respond well to treatment. A combination of therapy and medication works for about 8 out of every 10 depression sufferers. Plus, most cases can be treated by a primary care physician, eliminating the extra cost and difficult of finding and working with a specialist.

The real treatment problem with depression is that too many people won’t look for treatment at all. Studies suggest that only about 25 percent of individuals in the U.S. with depression get the treatment they need. In other countries, it may be less than ten percent.

Not only does untreated depression increase the risk of suicide, it also complicates other illnesses as well. Did you know that depression actually increases your risk of heart attack? Other medical conditions that have been associated with depression included cancer, diabetes, heart disease, eating disorders and anxiety. You may be more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs.

You can expect treatment for depression to work in about eight to twelve weeks, sometimes less. It all depends on your response to antidepressant medications and how severe the depression is. Treatment truly can offer hope in the midst of hopelessness, so there’s no reason to delay.