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Depression : A Serious Mental Health Condition

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Depression can be generically defined as a serious mental health condition in which a person feels sad, hopeless and unimportant and is often unable to live life in a normal way. Depression affects more than 121 million people worldwide (Science Daily) and can manifest in different ways in different people, symptoms can be mental as well as physical. While the exact mechanism for depression is currently unknown, studies have been able to correlate its onset between various environmental and physiological differences in the brain. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a person is diagnosed with depression when they demonstrate at least five of the following symptoms: a depressed mood during most of the day, fatigue or loss of energy daily, feelings of worthlessness or guilt daily, impaired concentration, insomnia, hypersomnia, loss of interest in activities, thoughts of death or suicide, relentless and significant weight loss or gain. Just as these signs should be reoccurring and cause significant stress or impairment (WebMD). Another requirement is that these symptoms not be a direct effect of a medical condition or medication. Additional symptoms can include irritability and anxiety. Because some of the neurotransmitters linked to depression, like norepinephrine and serotonin also influence pain as well as mood, physical symptoms like appetite loss, headaches, cramps and digestive problems are also common. Not all patients suffering from

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