How to Overcome Depression

How to Overcome Depression

How to overcome depression

I must tell this from my point of view, for I have the mental illness of depression. I was diagnosed 18 years ago after a suicide attempt. This is the first time I have written about it. Only close friends and family know about my struggle with this disorder.
What is depression? According to Wikipedia, is called “Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, clinical depression, or simply depression, is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive low mood, loss of interest in a person's usual activities and diminished ability to experience pleasure. The diagnosis is made if a person has suffered one or more major depressive episodes. The onset is usually in early- to mid-adulthood. Diagnosis is based on the patient's self-reported experiences and observed behavior. There is no laboratory test for major depression, although physicians often test for physical conditions that may cause similar symptoms before arriving at a diagnosis. The course varies widely: it can be a once-in-a-lifetime event or have multiple recurrences; it can appear either gradually or suddenly; and can either last for a few months or be a life-long disorder.” (Wikipedia)
There are several different forms of depression, the most common being major depression and dysthymic disorder, or mild depression.   Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function in daily activities.   It may occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but in most cases, it recurs throughout a person’s life. Dysthymic or dysthymia, it is long term, but less severe. The symptoms might not disable a person, but it could prevent them from functioning normally or feeling well. Bi-polar disorder is characterized by altering states of moods between extreme highs and lows. Although not as common, it is still just as crippling as the other two.   The most common symptoms of depression include, persistent...