The person who develops a depressive illness feels like they have fallen into a bottomless pit. They want to escape, but they cannot muster up the strength to move. They cannot concentrate or think clearly. Cut off by their depression from the things that they once enjoyed, they find that they simply don't care. They cannot help themselves and they sink deeper into despair and hopelessness. Isolation ensues and the thoughts of death are a welcome pastime.

Depression distorts internal timing. People become monotonous, speech slows down or ceases altogether, sleep patterns are disrupted, vitality is sapped, the thought process is clouded and life becomes a burden. The altered brain chemistry of depression is not easily restored to normal without some type of medical or psychological intervention.

One in four women and one in ten men can expect to be diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives, although very often it goes undiagnosed. They may not realize that what they are experiencing are symptoms of a treatable illness. The success rate of alleviating symptoms of depression is higher than with any other mental or emotional illness.

Signs to look for when diagnosing depression are continuing feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, irritability and the inability to keep up with the basic aspects of life, such as personal care, household chores, friendships, and social activities. Other symptoms include a noticeable change of appetite that brings about a significant gain or loss of weight, problems sleeping or waking, sudden loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, an inability to concentrate and make decisions, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, headaches, and stomachaches.

People experiencing depression may have thoughts of suicide. Many doctors believe that depression is the illness that underlies the majority of suicides. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people between the ages of 15 to 24. In the past 10 years, there have been major developments in the treatment of depression.

Later in life, the symptoms of depression, including memory impairment, slowed speech and movement, and loss of motivation can be mistaken for those of senility or stroke. The treatment of depression is most successful when treated with a combination of medication, psychotherapy, stress management, and behavior modification techniques.

Depression can strike at any age. Its emotional and physical symptoms are notable for their persistence. Many people experiencing depression find it hard to do anything at all, even to get up enough energy to call a doctor. But taking that first step may start them on the road to recovery, as there is always help available.

Some symptoms of depression are:

• Frequent crying spells
  
• Feeling hopeless and alone
  
• Social withdrawal that increases over time
  
• Levels of anxiety that increase over time
  
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
  
• Loss of interest in once cared about activities
  
• Increased or decreased appetite
  
• Significant weight loss or weight gain
  
• Focusing on physical health increasing anxiety
  
• Low consumption of liquids
  
• Lack of attention to personal appearance/irregular bathing
  
• Hair not washed or combed
  
• Teeth not brushed/bad breath
  
• Dirty clothes or same clothes everyday; sleeps in clothes
  
• Problems at work or school
  
• Panic attacks or phobias
  
• Excessive concerns with physical health or fear of dying
  
• Low energy levels/lack of motivation
  
• High level of irritability/on edge
  
• Sleep disturbances/restless sleep/nightmares
  
• Difficulty falling asleep
  
• Sleeping too much
  
• Awakening often during the night, often with feelings of doom; insomnia
  
• Increased use of chemical or addictive substances
  
• Use of alcohol or drugs to relieve symptoms or to sleep