We all have our "blue" moods or sadness appropriate to a specific event. This is not depression; this is a normal part of day-to-day living. These periods usually lift in a few hours, or a few days.

People suffering from depression have periods of two weeks or more at a time in which they experience a non-stop depressed mood, including a feeling of emptiness and a void and/or the loss of interest in activities which would otherwise have been enjoyable including talking to friends, sex, hobbies, etc.

According to NARSAD (National Alliance for Research for Schizophrenia and Depression), to truly be considered a victim of depression you will experience at least three more of the following symptoms in addition to the ones listed above.

• Feelings of pessimism and hopelessness.
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt and helplessness
• Sleep disorders (insomnia, early-morning rising or oversleeping)
• Changes in eating habits (Loss of appetite or overeating)
• Decreased energy levels
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering and/or making decisions
• Irritability
• Thoughts of suicide or death (beyond the fear of dying)
• Physical symptoms including headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain for which no physical cause can be found and no treatment seems effective.

There is help for people suffering from depression. Antidepressant medications are very effective. You may have heard scare-stories about side effects. This is rarely the case, but an open and frank conversation with your doctor should help you understand the risks, if any.

Depression can strike at any age. Some of its symptoms such as memory loss, slowed speech or slow movement may be mistaken as evidence of a stroke or senility. It is estimated that 15 - 20% of people over the age of 65 suffer from depression.

There are some medical illnesses that may produce depression, as can some of the treatments for these diseases.

Treatment for depression is just as effective in older patients as it is in younger. 80 - 90% of patients being treated for depression can be expected to respond positively.

For further information contact you doctor or NAMI - Cleveland (National Association of Mental Illness, Cleveland Branch). The NAMI - Cleveland office is located at 3645 Warrensville Center Road Suite 328. They can be reached by phone at (216) 491-1616 or at their website www.nami-metrocleveland.com. You may also request information from NARSAD by calling (800) 829-8289 or at their website www.narsad.org.

Coming: Check back for future articles on the types of depression and methods of treatment.