The word 'depression' or 'feeling depressed' is often used torefer to feeling 'blue' or 'down' even though this may state maylast for only a short period of time. Referring to this shorttime of feeling down as depression is not accurate and it isimportant to distinguish between occasional low moods anddepression.

Depression is when someone experiences a sustained period ofdejection or feeling low that seems to have little respite or itcan be a low mood that seems to continue to return on a regularbasis. To this end there are categories of depression rangingfrom what is considered mild depression to the heavier andlonger lasting low moods of chronic, clinical or manicdepression.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Typically a person with depression may experience any or all ofthe following:-

1) Loss of appetite

2) Broken sleep or insomnia

3) A constant feeling of dread

4) A lack of motivation

5) Feelings of guilt

6) Low self esteem and self confidence

7) A sense of being trapped with no means of escape

8) A sense of shame and failing

9) A pessimistic outlook on life (always expecting the worst tohappen)

10) A lack of energy

11) A hunched stance, unhappy expression and negative attitudeto any or everything

12) A sense of being a victim or always having bad luck

13) A high level of stress or anxiety

In the mildly depressed person only some of the above may applyfor only a short period of time. In the person with manicdepression many more of these symptoms may be true and can becoupled with psychotic episodes of delusions, hallucinations anda loss of a sense of reality. Anyone with manic depressionshould be under the supervision of a psychiatrist and willprobably be prescribed drugs to help the condition.

It is the mild forms of depression that other forms of help suchas counseling, hypnotherapy and EFT may be useful. Certainly ifyou do feel that you are depressed, even if it is only a mildform of depression and has been with you for a only few days orkeeps returning sporadically you should go and see your doctorfirst. It is not the intention of this article to addressanything other than mild depression.

There are a number of events that can trigger mild depression.These can be :-

1) A divorce

2) Shock or upsetting news

3) Loss of a job

4) Loss of the home

5) Being assaulted (mugged)

6) A burglary

7) Rape or constant abuse

8) Physical, verbal or psychological abuse at home or at work

These 'life event's' happen to all of us. It is how we perceivethem and ultimately deal with them that make the differencebetween someone who handles the crisis and someone who feelsunable to cope. Even children can suffer with depression, whichmay be due to factors in the home or at school.

For those people with mild depression which they know has beencaused by a particular event or events, selfhypnosis cds on the subject of depression may help.Sometimes all it takes it a different way of viewing orperceiving matters for the person feeling low to gain a newsense of perspective and proportion. Certainly the relaxationqualities of any self cd will help the stress thatoften is felt with depression.

About the author:Steven A. Harold

Clinical Hypnotherapist

Depression Cd

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