In fact, the AMA recommends you to see your family physician if you suffer four or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks. Depression, like individuals, is unique to each person. While one person might cry all the time, another person may become more argumentative or suffers from loss of self-esteem. Even a person's personality type can be a factor. The biggest problem to conquering this beast is simply facing it.
Many people feel that admitting they are depressed is a sign of weakness.
Unlike the common down times we all feel, people who are suffering from depression have no control over it. While it isn't known for sure exactly what causes depression, scientists now believe that people who are affected by depression have an imbalance in the chemical activity in their brain. Also, there is strong evidence that it is hereditary. Depression can also be the result of some physical ailment. Many people who have diseases like arthritis, thyroid conditions, lupus or multiple sclerosis will suffer from depression as well.