Depression is a "whole body" illness, involving your body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. 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. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.

The symptoms of depression may vary from person, and also depend on the severity of the depression. Depression causes, behavior, and physical well-being.

Changes in Thinking
You may experience problems with concentration and decision making. Some people report difficulty with short term memory, forgetting things all the time. Negative thoughts and thinking are characteristic of depression. Pessimism, poor self-esteem, excessive guilt, and self-criticism are all common. Some people have self-destructive thoughts during a more serious depression.

Changes in Feelings
You may feel sad for no reason at all. Some people report that they no longer enjoy activities that they once found pleasurable. You might lack motivation, and become apathetic. You might feel "slowed down" and tired all the time. Sometimes irritability is a problem, and you may have more difficulty controlling your temper. In the extreme, depression is characterized by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Changes in Behavior
Changes in behavior during depression are reflective of the negative emotion being experienced. You might act more apathetic, because that's how you feel, some people do not feel comfortable with other people, so social withdrawal is common. You may experience a dramatic change in appetite, either eating more or less. Because of the chronic sadness, excessive crying is common. Some people complain about everything, and act out their anger with temper outbursts. Sexual desire may disappear, resulting in lack of sexual activity. In the extreme, people may neglect their personal appearance, even neglecting basic hygiene. Needless to say, someone who is this depression does not do very much, so work productivity and household responsibilities suffer. Some people even have trouble getting out of bed.

Changes in Physical Well-being
We already talked about the negative emotional feelings experienced during depression, but these are coupled with negative physical emotions as well. Chronic fatigue, despite spending more time sleeping, is common, some people can't sleep, or don't sleep soundly. These individuals lay awake for hour, or awaken many times during the night, and stare at the celling. Others sleep many hours, even most of the day, although they still feel tired. Many people down by depression, and complain of many aches and pains. Others are restless, and can't sit still.

Now imagine these symptoms lasting for weeks or even months. Imagine feeling this way almost all of the time. Depression is present if you experience many of these symptoms for at least several weeks. Of course, it's not a good idea to diagnose yourself. If you think that you might be depressed ,see a psychologist as soon as possible. A psychologist can assess whether you are depressed, or just under a lot of stress and feeling sad. Remember, depression is treatable. Instead of worrying about whether you are depressed, do something about it. Even if you don't feel like it right now.

TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION
Among the traditional treatments for depression (antidepressants) are some methods that don't include pharmaceutical drugs.

Yoga
Yoga is a Hindu discipline. The process is spiritual, mental and physical putting you in touch with your mind and body while teaching you how to control both.

Meditation
Meditation is learning the discipline of how to relax your inner being. By focusing on one subject, chanting a mantra, your mind becomes devoid of thought and you are calm and focused.

Self Hypnosis
Taught by a qualified therapist, self-hypnosis can help you take control of your mind and your body. Creating a "safe place" within yourself, a control room, you will be able to turn off and on the emotions that currently rule your life. This process should not be taught from a self-help tape or a book, but with a therapist that is certified in the art of hypnosis.

Hypnosis
Guided by a board certified Hypnotist, you can be led to a trance-like state and be given certain instructions to help clear your mind. With the right tools and the proper guidance, you can be reprogrammed to reject feelings of helplessness, frustration and loss and become focused into another area that is positive and optimistic.

Hormone Replacement Therapy
It is used in women only; this type of therapy only works in certain patients. Sometimes, using HRT, the patient will experience a deeper depression. Your doctor should be consulted fully before you decide to try this method.

Psychotherapy
Known as talking through depression, the mental health counselor will listen and instruct you how to deal with the depression when it hits. Be sure the counselor is fully licensed and board certified.

ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy is used in extreme cases of severe depression. Generally when the patient is claiming suicide is the answer, or the person who's suffering from depression mania. Electrodes are attached to the patient and electric current shock the brain, thus halting the destructive behavior patterns.