Can someone please help me with this essay - Thank You!

Dealing with Depression:
Do you know of someone dealing with depression and you'd like to help? Well, today we will discuss this topic which could bring relief to people suffering from this sad illness. Depression is just about the loneliest experience in the world and it is a psychological condition which leaves one feeling weak or worthless. Everyone feels "blue" at certain times in his or her life. In fact, transitory feelings of sadness or discouragement are perfectly normal, especially during difficult times. But a person who cannot "snap out of it" or get over these feelings within two weeks or so may be suffering from the illness called depression. The reasons for depression setting in is because people feel life is a disappointment due to financial problems, unemployment, grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one, or just the simple blues. Depression affects people from all walks of life and all religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2020 major depression will be second only to heart disease as the leading cause of disability worldwide.

I have friends who are affected by depression and one of the main reasons I get so much satisfaction is because I offer to listen when they need someone to talk to. I offer them kindness and support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. If the depressed feeling doesn't pass, then I encourage them to seek help from a doctor, therapist, or counsellor.

What causes depression?
Research has identified the factors that contribute to causing and maintaining symptoms of depression are: situations, thoughts, emotions, physical state and actions. Depression involves all areas of your life: your life situation; your thoughts, emotions and physical state; and your actions. It may affect social support, family relationships, employment, and finances. Each of these areas is connected to all the others. As a result, changes in one area produce changes in the others. When depression first develops, negative changes in one area often cause the others to get worse as well. However, when you are working on getting better, changing one area leads to improvements in the others. The goal of treatment is to get all areas of your life spiralling upward, each producing positive change that improves the other areas.

How depression affects people?
Depression affects women almost twice as often as men (10-15% of men and 15-25% of women). Women's traditional roles (taking care of the household, family finances and children) are under-valued. Many of us wind up feeling guilty and exhausted as we try (or have to) become achievers at work and/or lonely and frustrated at home. Men are also under pressure in an effort to balance family life with an increasingly competitive workplace, and are particularly vulnerable to depressive episodes after redundancy and retirement. The burden is enormous and makes one feel isolated, with little time left for the kids or relationships with friends and even extended family. This kind of sad or low mood is called reactive depression. It's not a mental illness; it's a normal response to something bad that has happened. Sometimes, however, our sad or low mood significantly interferes with our ability to function normally. When this last for more than two weeks, and is associated with other signs and symptoms, it's something more and it's called clinical depression. Clinical depression is a medical disorder, just like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. It's not a sign of personal weakness or something you can just snap out of. Clinical depression can affect your thoughts, feelings, physical health and behaviours. It can seriously impact personal relationships, ability to perform at work, and to just get through the day.


Is there a cure for depression?
Yes definitely, there is a cure! Depression is one of the most common and treatable of all mental illnesses. The important thing to remember is that depression is not a failure on your part, and you can overcome it. The real healing will begin when you change the basis of your relationships and build a healing support system around you that will help keep you depression-free for life. You'll be amazed at the outcome. Bringing people into the process of healing your depression can start with something as simple as asking a friend to join you for a weekly walk in the park or include them in your social activities. Not only will the exercise elevate your mood, but creating shared rituals will strengthen your relationship. Make this get-together an opportunity to let them know your needs of them-and ask them what they need from you. There are many treatment options for depression because everyone's symptoms and reactions are different. Medications (e.g. antidepressants) and psychotherapy (e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy) are the most common combination of treatments. Don't get discouraged, it may take a while to find the counsellor and the medications that work best for you.