All of us feel sad at one time or another. That's a normal response to the stresses of life. But if you find yourself feeling down for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to get some help. By knowing the various symptoms and thought patterns that characteristically afflict a depressed person, you can address your situation and work at overcoming it. It can affect every part of your body.
Researchers believe that depression can weaken immune system function.
This can cause you to be more susceptible to illness and infection, and, over time can even accelerate chronic disease. Untreated, prolonged depression can cause premature aging. It slows body function as well as causing a loss of muscle tone. The symptoms of depression can vary according to the type of depression. Reactive depression results from being unable to recover from such stressful events of life as the death of a loved one, relationship problems, job loss, or chronic illness.