4.depression

doctor: what seems to be the trouble with your daughter?

patient's mother: my daughter feels really down and easily upset.  if anything goes wrong, she will fly off the handle.

doctor: does she tell you the reason about this?

patient's mother: no. she just feels people are cold to her so she keeps herself to herself.  what's wrong with my daughter?

doctor: she is probably a sufferer of depressive disorder.

patient's mother: depression? i haven't heard about it.

doctor: depressiveis a huge public health problem.  can you tell me something about her in detail?

patient's mother: yes.  she always says everything is meaningless to her and there is nothing in the world to yearn for.  what's more, she even wants to commit suicide.

doctor: it seems that your daughter is in bad condition.

patient's mother: is there anything I can do for my daughter?

doctor: try to encourage her to build up contacts with people, and not to be upset about little things.  you'd better take her to a psychiatric hospital.

patient's mother: I'll follow your advice.

patient's mother: I'm not clear about depression. what are the symptoms of depressive disorder?

doctor: depressive disorder is a syndrome that reflects a sad mood excssding normal sadness or grief.

patient's mother: what are impaired functions that make up a depressive disorder?

doctor: depressive disorder is characterized not only by negative thoughts, mood, and behaviors, but also by specific changes in bodily functions.

patient's mother: i wonder if there are possible diseases caused by depression?

doctor: depression can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, HIV, asthma, etc.  and increase the morbidity and mortality from these conditions.