Most of us know at least one person who has been diagnosed with depression. Maybe you think that you may have depression? Do your emotions fit the criteria for depression? Clinical depression affects millions of people. Understanding what depression is can be a first step towards getting the right help. Let’s look at some of the facts.

Feelings of sadness are normal. Everyone experiences a blue mood once in a while. But when feelings of sadness become your only feelings, and when a blue mood turns into a persistent black cloud, you may be suffering from depression.

Depression is a mental disorder. Depression can overwhelm your mind, your thoughts and your body. It affects your personality, your interaction with others, and your beliefs as well. When in depression it is just about impossible to feel hopeful about anything, including ever feeling happy again.

Since normal feelings of sadness, and the feelings of depression are very similar, differentiating between the two is usually by time and intensity. The feelings from depression are much more intense than a normal reaction to a negative event.

Two weeks is typically the threshold for diagnosing depression. If after a negative life experience you are still withdrawn and sad after more than two weeks it is possible you have entered into a depressive episode. Without treatment a depressive episode can last for months, sometimes years.

The great news is that depression is very treatable. Traditionally, a combination of therapy and medication is really quite effective. Today an entire range of alternative therapies have shown impressive results at relieving even long standing, serious depression. Some alternative therapies very effective for the treatment of depression are: Emotional freedom Techniques, Tapas Acupressure Technique, Chi Gung, nutritional supplements and a simple thing such as walking are just a few examples.

Depression can happen to anyone. It is not an affliction of those who are weak. Strong people can get depression as well. if you suspect that you may be suffering from depression, remember, the sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.