When Can Depression Happen?
 
The problem with depression is that there is no set age someone can develop depression.  Children as young as 3 years old meet the clinical criteria for being diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).  Researchers discovered that these children have similar brain activation patterns adults display who have the same disorder.  The teenage years are difficult because this age is faced with forming an identity that is separate from their parents, trying to figure out the changes that are going on with their bodies, understanding their sexuality, attempting to do well in school, and not to mention, trying to deal with any peer pressure and bullying as well.

Bullying, in particular, is such a problem that 1 in 3 students experience some form of bullying throughout the school year, and only 10% of cyberbullying victims will report the bullying.  What’s even worse is that students who have a disability are often the individuals bullied the most.

Children who are bullied are 2 to 9 times more likely to commit suicide.  If you know someone who is being bullied, do not be afraid to speak up and encourage them to seek out resources like stopbullying.gov.

How Adults Experience Depression

As adults, men and women experience depression differently.  For women, factors that contribute to their depression include biological, hormonal, lifecycle, and psychosocial elements.  For example, it is very common for women to experience post-partum depression – so common that 1 in 7 women experience it after giving birth.
 
Unlike women who may experience sadness, worthlessness, and overwhelming guilt, men will become irritable, tired, and they often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.  To combat their depression, men will sometimes turn to substances like alcohol and drugs to dull their feelings.  Some men will even become more involved with work or other activities in order to avoid discussing their feelings.
 
For seniors, it can be more of a challenge to determine if they are suffering from depression because their symptoms are not easily identified.  It is not uncommon for seniors to have lower levels of energy than they once had, or they may be more irritable than they used to be.  There are people who assume an elderly person has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease because they are unable to remember things or have difficulty paying attention for long periods of time.  Even medical conditions like heart disease, stroke, or cancer can have the similar symptoms as depression, thus making it harder to diagnose the mental disorder.
 
Depression Can Be Debilitating
 
Did you know that of all the applications for Social Security disability, depression is the second most common medical condition, and it affects more than 26% of adults in the country?

People who have been diagnosed with major clinical depression may have difficulty functioning in everyday life, which includes performing work duties effectively or even being an active member of the family.  This can be very difficult for adults who have families and depend on every penny in order to pay the bills.

Fortunately, there is hope and help.  Depending on the seriousness of their illness, they may be able to apply and receive Social Security disability.  Granted, the applicant must qualify and meet specified criteria listed in Social Security’s impairment listing 12.04, Depressive, Bipolar, and Related.
 
To qualify, the first the individual must have five or more of the following symptoms:

•    Depressed mood
•    Decreased interest in almost all activities
•    Changes in appetite that results in weight changes
•    Insomnia or oversleeping
•    Difficulty concentrating or thinking
•    Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
•    Thoughts of death or suicide
•    A slowing of physical movement and reactions, including speech
•    Increased physical agitation, such as hand wringing or pacing
 
Individuals must also meet “functional” criteria that indicates they have lost some abilities because of the depression.  Typically, the person should have extreme limitations in one or more of the following areas:

•    Understanding, remembering, or using information
•    Interacting with other individuals
•    Concentrating on or maintaining pace while performing tasks
•    Adapting or managing “life” (unable to care for yourself and/or pay bills)