DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT ANYONE

You're not sleeping, you're gaining weight, feeling tired and have lost interest in your favorite activities. You cry for no apparent reason. You may have depression. Depression can describe a normal human emotion of sadness, blues, dejection, the dumps, gloom or it can go beyond an emotion and become a disease.

Many people may have mood swings now and then, but the Psychiatric Association says symptoms of depression, which last for more than two weeks, can indicate a serious problem.

May is Mental Health Month.

Depression is accompanied by melancholia or overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief. Although serious depression can manifest at any age, Dr. T.J. Glenn, a Cape Girardeau psychologist, said middle-aged adults, under the stress of today's societal problems, may suffer from depression.

"They may cry and have no interest in anything," he said. "They may have trouble understanding their gender role." Glenn said middle-aged adults may feel stressed by life choices and the economic pressures of life in the world today.

Depression is also a very common illness among teen-agers as well. Stages of development can cause depression among young adults. "Relating to peers, dealing with value systems, career choices," said Glenn, "can all be causes of depression in teen-agers."

In teen-agers, depression can be particularly serious. Glen said parents, teachers or school counselors should watch for signs that indicate a serious depression. Some of the signs to look for are:

-- Sleeping much later than normal or not sleeping at all or taking a lot of naps

-- An appetite change. An increase or loss in weight

-- Restlessness

-- Withdrawal from friends and family

-- Lack of concentration

-- Loss of interest in usual activities

-- Feelings of hopelessness or feeling guilty

-- Sudden mood or behavioral changes; being withdrawn

-- Thoughts that life isn't worth living; thoughts of suicide

Glenn said young children and teen-agers may show the symptoms of depression in a different way than adults. "Children show irritability. They may show anger," he said.