am i or am i not?!

In my pursuit of helping my self get through after what happened, I turned to reading; either books, enet articles etc etc. And like those people who showed their interest to help me, I purposely stumbled across articles on “clinical depression.” Below is an excerpt from http://uhs.berkeley.edu/lookforthesigns/clinicaldepression.shtml that explains what clinical depression is - in an easier, simpler manner for people like me who really veers away from too much medical terms.

as i am still contemplating if i’m just sad or something more than that, i would like to share this piece of article. maybe the infos here could help you help a lonely and lost soul.

Types of Depression:
Clinical depression can come in different forms. It may start suddenly or build up over a period of weeks, months, or years. The following are descriptions of the three most prevalent forms, though for an individual, the number, severity and duration of the symptoms may vary.

• Major Depression: a combination of symptoms (described above) that interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These episodes can occur once, twice or several times in a lifetime.
• Dysthymia: a less intense type of depression that involves long-term, chronic symptoms that are less severe, but keep one from functioning at full ability and from feeling good.
• Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness): periods of depression alternate with periods of elation and increased activity, known as mania. See More about Bipolar Disorder.
  

How Is Clinical Depression Different From Normal Stress and Sadness?
Feeling sad and depressed is often a normal reaction to a stressful life situation. For example, it is normal to feel down after a major disappointment, or to have trouble sleeping or eating after a difficult relationship break-up. Usually, within a few days, perhaps after talking to a friend, we start to feel like ourselves again.

Clinical depression is very different. It involves a noticeable change in functioning that persists for two weeks or longer. Imagine that for the last three months you’ve slept more than 10 hours a day and still feel tired, you have stomach problems, you’re unable to cope with life, and you wonder if dying would solve all your problems. Or, imagine not being able to sleep more than four hours a night, not wanting to spend time with family or friends, and constantly feeling irritable. And when friends try to reach out to you, you get even more upset and bothered. You lose perspective, and you don’t realize that what you’re experiencing is abnormal. You want to just “wait it out,” and you don’t get help because you think it’s weak to ask for help or you don’t want to burden your friends.

These are some of the experiences that people can have when they suffer from clinical depression. Unlike normal stress and sadness, the symptoms of clinical depression persist and do not go away no matter how much the individual wants.

What Causes Depression?
You may feel you know exactly why you’re depressed. Other times, however, the reasons for depression are not as clear. The causes of depression are quite complex. Very often it is a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Regardless of the cause, depression is almost always treatable. You do not need to determine the cause of your depression to get help.

Biological factors: You may have heard about chemical imbalances in the brain that occur in depression, suggesting that depression is a medical illness. Depression does seem to have a biological component. Research suggests that depression may be linked to changes in the functioning of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Current research focuses on the serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine systems. The usefulness of antidepressant medications suggests that brain chemistry is involved in depression. However, it is also possible that biological changes happen as a result of being depressed.

Some kinds of depression seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser extent, severe major depression. However, having a biological vulnerability does not mean you are destined to become depressed. Not everyone in a family develops depression, suggesting that other factors are involved. In addition, depression can occur in individuals who have no family history of depression.

Stress: Psychological and environmental stressors can contribute to a depressive episode. Common stressors among college students include:

• academic demands
• transitions-re-entry to school, being new to Berkeley
• balancing school, work, family, social life
• financial responsibilities or worries
• family concerns
• social isolation
• difficulties in relationships with friends and romantic partners
• being on one’s own in a new environment
• exposure to new ideas, new people, and temptations
• awareness of sexual identity and orientation
• preparing for life after graduation, career decision-making

A major loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, or unwelcome life changes can often trigger a depressive episode, even in individuals without a family history or genetic predisposition.

Psychological Tendencies: Psychological make-up can play a role in vulnerability to depression. People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or are readily overwhelmed by stress, may be especially prone to depression.

Alcohol or Other Drug Use: A lot of depressed people, especially young adults and men, have problems with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes the depression comes first and people try alcohol or other drugs as a way to escape it. Other times, the alcohol/drug use comes first, and the drug itself, or withdrawal from it, or the problems caused by substance use, may lead to depression. Sometimes you can’t tell which came first. The important point is that when you have both of these problems, the sooner you get treatment, the better. If you are taking medication for depression and abusing alcohol or other drugs, your medication will not work effectively. Medication should never be discontinued without talking to your doctor.