This illness is also known as bipolar disorder. One in five people suffers from depression at some point in their life. Depression can strike anyone, even children and babies who have been abused and neglected. Middle-aged adults, however, are more likely to become depressed than any oth er age group. While depression is often associated with loneliness, married people are more likely to become depressed than single people.
Women are twice as likely as men to become depressed.
A slowing down or neglect in performing daily tasks, irritability, poor memory, or changes in behavior are all symptoms. A loss of sexual desire or loss of warm feelings toward family members, a lack of pleasure in anything, or a loss of self-esteem are all symptoms. Physical changes can include sleep disturbances, fatigue, unexplained headaches or backaches, digestive problems, and nausea. All of us at some time experience one or more of these symptoms. But when they become persistent and so severe that pain and other problems outweigh pleasure much of the time, then it is time to seek professional help.