Depression is a whole-body illness, affecting the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. This is not a simple case of the blues, nor a sign of personal weakness. You can't want it or desire it. You can't "pull yourself together" and get over it. Without treatment, symptoms can last weeks, months, or years. Depression can prevent a person from carrying out activities of daily living. Symptoms of depression center on changes in thinking, feelings, behavior and physical well-being. Each person is different, so symptoms may vary. Much depends on the severity of the disease. Changes in thinking – Depression can cause problems concentrating. Depressed individuals may not be able to make a decision. They seem to forget things all the time. They are plagued by low self-esteem, guilt, self-criticism and negative thoughts. During episodes of severe depression a person may have self-destructive thoughts or suicidal ideation. Changes in feelings: depression...