As per our last episode with David, depression was a major psychological effect on the bully, victim and the observer.  The month of October being observed nationally as the month for "suicide awareness." Peter D. Kramer, MD says, "Suicide is what the death certificate says when one dies of depression."  Dr. Stanford explains that suicide is neither reasoned nor rational, and that mental illness is the most common cause.  I though it would be appropriate to discuss what depression is.  Rebecca Donatelle notes that major or clinical depression is not the same as having a bad day or feeling down after a negative experience.  It is also not something that can be wished away or ignored for the sake of "growing a thicker skin."  The National Institute of Mental Health notes that major depression is the most common mood disorder, affecting approximately 7% of the United States population. Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with work, study, sleep, appetite, relationships, and enjoyment of life.  Symptoms can can last for weeks, months, or years and vary in intensity.  I discuss the common signs of depression; depression regarding gender and age; prevalence and age of onset; risk factors; ways of dealing with and defeating depression.  

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