Living a full life with depression
Living a full life in spite of depression
The American Medical Association says that now almost half of the population has a chronic illness
LIVING A FULL LIFE IN SPITE OF DEPRESSION
The American Medical Association says that now almost half of the population has a chronic illness. When we think of chronic illness we do not necessarily think of depression and anxiety. In fact some people like I did a few years ago felt that this illness is all in the head. My old beliefs were that depression only affects those who can not manage the challenges of life or just lacked willpower which was a misconception on my part. Through personal experience I learned that Depression is a medical illness that affects almost 3 million Canadians and that roughly 20% of the general population will suffer from Depression or Anxiety related Disorders within their lifetime.
Depression can occur at anytime but it is most common between the ages of 18 and 44 and more prevalent to females than males. It can however start in childhood or adolescence and go unnoticed because the symptoms - moodiness, irritability and risk taking behavior are seen as common teenage problems.
Commonly people over the age of 55 are diagnosed with "Late-Onset Depression." It is a problem that often goes unreported as it is often mistaken for simply growing old. These feelings are often short lived and most people recover when their lives or situation improves. However, people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have a more severe form of depression which lasts longer. If medical help is not sought out and it is left untreated it can seriously effect energy levels, appetite, sleep patterns and all over physical well-being. People suffering from (MDD) show symptoms that reflect a clear change from the person's usual behavior. These symptoms are feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, sadness and negativity.
It is important also to understand that depression can be triggered by a number of physical illnesses such as heart disease, thyroid disease or arthritis as was in my case. I was diagnosed over thirty years ago with arthritis in my spine and told I would be in a wheel chair within 5 years. With the help of physiotherapy, medications, and special programs I was able to avoid the wheel chair and live a normal life.
It is important to learn and educate yourselves as much as possible about your illness, such as treatments, and medications adjusting your lifestyles to accommodate symptoms and body restrictions.
