Preface

Do you feel low every now and then?

Do you feel exhausted and helpless?

Is pessimism ruling your mind?

Just because you are smiling every time doesn’t mean that you are happy from within. Everybody feels sad or blue at some point in their life. But when this sadness becomes an everyday feeling, chances are high that you might be falling in depression.

What is Depression?

It is a mental disorder which affects the thoughts, feelings, actions and physical health of the depressed. It reflects sad or negative moods beyond the normal levels of sorrowfulness.It is a common mental illness affecting millions of people every year. It is prevalent in all age groups. Whether it is a child or an older adult, it can affect any anyone at any stage of his/her life.

Do not Confuse Depression with Sadness

People feel sad on numerous occasions – after breaking up with their partners, after quarrelling with friends, after losing their jobs, when their closed one expires, when they fail in exams and the like. But such sadness can be overcome with proper care and time. However, being depressive is not a mere state of sadness. It is far more than that. It is a strong feeling that involves physical, mental and social behavioral change in a person. When people are depressed, they feel angry, lose pleasure in daily activities, feel hopeless, cry frequently, experience changes in diet and sleep, do self-criticism, etc. If not treated on time, it can even lead to dangerous effects like committing suicide. Every year, more than 8 million depressed people commit suicide. Like any other illness, it should be treated immediately.