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Depression is an illness that can afflict anyone during their lifetime. There are different levels of depression, and it must be remembered that no one 'chooses' to suffer from it, it just happens. Often the most difficult step is to be able to admit to yourself that there is a problem.

While others, like your family or close friends may notice that you are suffering, you may not admit it and will look for solace in others forms to mask the symptoms, for example in alcohol or self harming to release the pain. These forms will never cure depression but will only add to the original problems. You cannot hide forever from depression as without addressing the problem it can become to difficult to cope with, especially on your own.

There is no doubt that depression can be a debilitating illness and it can affect your entire outlook on life, and the lives of those around you. It needs to be remembered that it is an ''illness'' and a simple ''buck up'' or ''sort yourself out'' will not suffice. We all experience periods of low mood where we feel at odds with the world, but when it becomes a state in which the ability to function normally is compromised then measures need to be taken and professional help sought, because usually it is treatable.

Sometimes severe depression can become so intolerable to the sufferer that they feel they have only one way out, to take their own lives. Nobody likes to see someone suffer or to think that they cannot go on

In clinical terms depression can be described as low feelings that do not go away within a short period of time and result in an interference with their daily activities. Everybody is individual in their symptoms and not everyone will experience the same feelings but they usually correspond with some of the following:

*a loss of interest in their lives and the inability to enjoy things that they once did

*a feeling of unhappiness for most of the day

*confusion when deciding things

*agitation and restlessness

*changes in their sleeping patterns

*suicidal thoughts

*loss of interest in sex

*no self confidence

*the need to avoid people and confrontation

*a loss of appetite (although some people tend to eat more when feeling low)

*find particular times of the day unbearable

The first step it to see your doctor whereby they can assess your individual circumstances and determine whether you are suffering from a temporary low mood or a more specific depressive illness. It should be known that medication or other medical problems like the thyroid

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