I write this diary as someone who has, and is suffering from major depression. I focus in on depression, specifically major depression although there are other forms of depression. I have attempted to give numbers later in the diary that focus in on depression across the board.
Some facts about MAJOR Depression:
- The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
- Affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
- While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5
The above stats come from The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Major depression involves at least five symptoms
- Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Low appetite and weight loss or overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause can be diagnosed.
over a two-week period.
Not everyone with major depression attempt or think of suicide, however it is defiantly related to having such a bout.
There is a short screening tool that you can use to see if you might be suffering from depression.
I never told my story about depressive episodes before and I do not intend to share them now other than to say I’ve been hospitalized three times now for major depression and like many a teen coming to terms with their sexuality I suffered, and was hospitalized for depression/suicide attempt way back in the 80s.
For those of us with chronic diseases it has been estimated that up to 1/3 have symptoms of depression
I have thought about sharing my personal experiences with depression but I’d rather share, as I’ve done so above, the horrifying numbers and symptoms of depression.
But there is hope.
If recognized and treated with the appropriate medication and/or therapy people can get better.
It might seem that there is no way out, that things will never improve. But they can get better, even if the deck is stacked against you for feeling out of place as a glbt teen, or suffering with a chronic illness, there is hope.