Depression is an often overlooked, serious mental illness with highly debilitating consequences including, of course, suicide.  It is an extremely common illness which affects a large percentage of the population at all levels of society, regardless of age, race or socio-economic status. On current estimates, as many as one in four or five of us can expect to suffer from a Major Depressive Disorder at some point in our lives. Some recent research indicates that the rate of depression may have steadily increased across the last hundred years. The fragmentation of families, the breakdown of communities, the loss of hope among the chronically unemployed, poor or disenfranchised youth may all be implicated.

Depression is usually characterised by a deep, overwhelming sadness.  Sufferers of depression can feel exhausted, disillusioned, and overwhelmed by life.  Rather than sad, some depressed individuals feel ‘empty’ or devoid of any real emotion. They may feel that life no longer holds meaning for them, and that they lack control over their own future.  Feelings of hopelessness are often at the heart of depression.

In technical terms, a Major Depressive Episode is diagnosed if a person experiences persistent, overwhelming sadness, or a loss of interest in his or her daily activities, in addition to experiencing several (although not necessarily all) of the following symptoms:

• Changes in appetite resulting in weight fluctuation which has not been a result of deliberate changes in diet
   

• Insomnia or oversleeping
   

• Exhaustion, fatigue, lack of energy
   

• Restlessness or irritability
   

• Low self esteem, a sense or worthlessness, or inappropriate guilt
   

• Concentration problems, or an inability to make decisions
   

• Suicidal thoughts or tendencies, or attempts at suicide

It is critical that sufferers of depression understand that it is now typically treatable. Given the debilitating nature of the condition, they should be encouraged to seek assistance as soon as possible.