Depression

            
             Hi my name is Luis and today I am going to talk to you about a very serious medical illness called depression. Life is a constant roller coaster of happiness, sorrows, good times and bad times. However when the downs are outweighing the ups for more than a few weeks and you are having difficulty coping with every day activities you may be suffering from depression. .
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             Some people think depression is a state of mind that can be snapped out of whenever a person is willing to do so but unfortunately is not that easy depression is as serious as heart disease or diabetes. Depression affects physical health as well as mental health it is a mixture of feelings and thoughts. Depression can make even the most basic of life functions, such as sleeping, eating and thinking extremely difficult. Depression may strike at any time. One cause of depression is the reduction of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. When two of this chemicals called Serotonin and Nor epinephrine are unbalanced it is believed to cause depression. Another believed cause of depression is Heredity. Children of a person suffering from depression has a 10% to 13% chance of developing the illness. People who are pessimistic, have low self-esteem, negative thinking patterns, excessive worry ness or feel they have little control over life events are more likely to develop depression. .
             Each person is unique and not everyone who is depressed experiences the same symptoms. Symptoms include .
             1. Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood.
             2. Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and making decisions.
             3. Change in appetite, weight loss or gain. .
             4. Change in sleeping patterns.
             5. Slowed or agitated physical or spoken responses.
             6. Felling of guilt worthlessness or lacking energy.
             7. Thought of suicide .
             8. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and once enjoyable activities. .
             Although every one is a candidate for depression certain groups are more susceptible to the illness.