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EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
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What is depression?

Depression is characterised by sad mood and/or a diminished ability to enjoy things, accompanied by other symptoms including:

  • feelings of pessimism or hopelessness
  • anxiety
  • feeling worthless, helpless or feelings of guilt/self-blame
  • reduced energy levels
  • decreased sexual interest (libido )
  • restlessness and irritability
  • feeling tired but experiencing insomnia, early-morning waking or oversleeping
  • changes in appetite or weight
  • difficulty concentrating or poor memory
  • periodic thoughts of death, suicide or feeling that life is not worth living.

It is very rare for someone to experience all of these symptoms, but depression is usually diagnosed when a number of them have been present every day for at least two weeks. Of course, having one symptom in isolation does not mean that a person is depressed because the majority of the symptoms are not exclusive to depression.

Temporary depressed mood or sadness should be distinguished from a depressive disorder which needs clinical treatment, known as a major depressive disorder, clinical depression or unipolar depression. A person may experience a depressive episode once, for example as a reaction to losing a relative, or repeatedly. Individuals with a major depression are at increased risk for suicide. Seeking help and treatment from a health professional dramatically reduces that risk.

Older depressed people may have cognitive symptoms, such as forgetfulness. Depression is often experienced in persons with PD.


Did you know?

Evidence of trepanning surgery (cutting a hole in the skull) in Stone Age societies has led some anthropologists to believe that this was a treatment for mental illness – as a way of releasing demons or evil spirits.

 


Acknowledgement


We would like to thank the following for their contributions to this information:

  • Professor Heiner Ellgring, Institute for Psychology, Würzburg University, Germany

We would like to acknowledge use of the following source(s) in compiling this information:

EPDA EPDA EPDA EPDA EPDA EPDA EPDA EPDA