Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Depression Symptoms Varies Across Age Groups


Depression symptoms can show up in every person on the planet. No matter what sex or culture a person comes from they can still suffer from a depressive disorder. Even medical professionals must remember that depression affects everyone differently.

For example, a woman who has just had a child will display depression differently than an elderly man. If one keeps these differences in mind, than the symptoms may become easier to spot.

One group of people who will display various depression symptoms are teens. Teen depression is a serious illness that can lead to suicide if not caught and treated correctly.

Parents need to be fully aware of how a teenager displays their depression. A child may seem overly hostile or complain of unexplained aches and pains such as a continuous headache or a stomach ache.

If the child is taken to the doctor and nothing can be found physically wrong, a parent must then make sure that the doctor does a thorough mental examination. Parents must stay involved in a child's life to ensure that depression stays at bay.

One age group that is growing in today's world and who more frequently are experiencing depression symptoms are the elderly. As adults grow older, they usually have a difficult time coping with what is happening around them.

As they age they may be losing loved ones, dealing with limited independence, and increasing health problems. One thing to remember is that this illness is not the norm when it comes to aging. Complaints about their physical health will usually take precedence over their mental health issues, and this can lead to depression symptoms going unnoticed.

If a person is having continuous poor health, then a doctor must be seen. In the elderly especially, early diagnosis and treatment are very important to avoid suicide.

When looking at the various depression symptoms, another important factor to take into account is whether the patient is a male or a female. Women are twice as more likely to experience such illness than men. Women will experience symptoms such as feelings of guilt, excessive sleeping, overeating, and weight gain.

Men on the other had have a harder time expressing their emotional issues, so their symptoms will be completely different than women. Men will complain about fatigue, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and they may feel an increase in anger which can lead to violence. Because of the different symptoms, the treatment for this mental illness varies for the sexes.

By knowing the depression symptoms that different groups of people display, family and medical professionals can better deal with the depressive disorder. Depression is an illness that is very treatable if only it is caught in time.

If a person who is afflicted with the disease does not seek help, then suicide can be the devastating outcome. Those with depression do not have to suffer in silence.

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