by Dossie M Terrell

Created on: July 13, 2007   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

All humans strive for a measure of balance in their lives. The demands and restraints faced each day may tilt the scales of sanity too far in one direction, causing one to engage in excessive cleaning or no cleaning all at all. If there's too much cleaning, one is labeled excessive compulsive, conversely, if one does too little cleaning he or she is often labeled lazy. Either behavior may have depression as its origin.

Whether it's a clean house or an organized desk, there are many positives when there is organization. Folks who work or exist in cluttered environments are usually not taken as seriously as those who are organized. There may be those who become overwhelmed by the demands of housework and may develop a form of depression and if that should happen, they should speak with their physicians.

Depression is a serious mental illness and it should be treated as other chronic disorders. Granted a clean house may offer a temporary reprieve, but the condition should be taken seriously. There are a number of reasons why one may become depressed: it can be inherited, something can happen to change the chemical balance of the brain, or it may be caused by events such as death or losses. Sometimes it just happens and the reasons for it are not clear.

Depressive disorders present differently in children, women, men, and older adults.

Children account for a large percentage of those diagnosed with depressive disorders. Parents or caregivers should watch for the following behaviors, though the list is not conclusive: inability to concentrate; persistent thoughts of suicide; sleep disorders; withdrawal from family and friends; irritability, anger or anxiety; pessimism or indifference.

Depressive disorders in women usually manifest thorough anxiety disorders, including panic and social phobias. They may have eating disorders; suffer bipolar disorders; borderline personality disorder; Schizophrenia; and attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) (ADD).

Men usually have sleeping disorders; decreased energy; appetite or weight change; feelings of worthlessness or helplessness; and persistent sadness or "empty" moods....

Depression is not a co-agent in the aging process, but may co-occur with serious illnesses, such as diabetes, strokes, heart diseases, cancer, Parkinson's disease....

Those suffering depression in any of the forms above should seek immediate medical treatment and not try to remedy them through frantic housecleaning. There are many different types of medications available (anti-depressants); those affected may also need short-term psychotherapy (talk therapy) to alleviate or cure depressive disorders.

Those suffering depression should understand/do the following:

Understand that depression is a real illness - it's not in your head.

See your doctor immediately, which includes getting a checkup-and talking about your feelings.

Get ongoing treatment for your depression. You can feel better.

Above all, you can have a balanced and productive life.

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