DEPRESSION. 

It affects everyone in one form or another, from a gentle sadness to major clinical depressions.  Depression can be the result of an illness or event in our lives, or be a separate disease all by it self.   It also affects animals.  I have been watching a depression with one of my pets, and I have noticed just how much it can affect her lifestyle including her sleeping and eating habits. 

Many things can cause depression.  The causes can also vary from one person to another as people are different, and perceive things differently.  Causes can include:

Life style changes such as divorce, marriage, moving, job changes.

Unbalanced diets, vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Medications.

Hormone changes such as birth control pills, giving birth and menopause.

Loss of loved ones.

Illness.

Chemical imbalances.

Alcohol and drug abuse.

I like David L. Hoffmans definition of depression, "Depression is a state of mind familiar to almost everyone, but this very familiarity becomes problematic when approaching clinical depressive states."   The American Psychiatric Association defines depression by a standard set of symptoms.  They are:

Poor appetite or increased appetite with a significant weight gain.

Insomnia, or increased sleep.

Agitation, retardation of movement and thought.

Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive.

Fatigue and loss of energy.

Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or excessive or inappropriate guilt.

Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

The types of depression widely range from a slight sadness to severe clinical depressions.  The most common types of depression are:

SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is from the lack of natural unfiltered sunlight during the darker winter months.

Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression - characterized by huge mood swings.

Post partem - Mild to severe moodiness after having a baby caused by hormone changes.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - A delayed depression.

Dysthymia - A mild depression which is usually long term.  The symptoms are just enough to keep one from functioning or feeling their best.

Child hood Depression - Much like adult depressions in many different forms.

No matter what type of depression you are experiencing, it is important to recognize it and seek help if necessary.  All depression is treatable.