Depression
Depression is more than a one day of feeling low. It is a long-lasting, often recurring illness as real and disabling
as heart disease or arthritis. Adults who experience clinical depression may feel an oppressive sense of sadness, fatigue
and guilt. Performing on the job may be difficult……going out with friends ay be unthinkable…..merely getting out of bed
may be impossible. The person who has depression feels increasingly isolated from family and colleagues - helpless,
worthless, and lost.
Depression is a very common emotional illness. In varying degrees of severity, it affects about 6 percent of all U.S.
adults, more than nine million people in any given six month period, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
At least one in five Americans will experience a major depressive episode during their lifetime, with women twice as
likely to develop depression as men.
Modern research has led to significant advances. Today there are extremely effective treatments for depression. Between
80 to 90 percent of those with depression can be successfully treated. Many experience relief from symptoms within three
to six weeks. Treatment is generally necessary - people with depression cannot snap out of it on their own, nor will it
to go away.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A PERSON HAS DEPRESSION?
• Sleeping too much or too little.
• Frequent wakening in the middle of the night.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Inability to function at work or school.
• Headaches, digestive disorders, nausea, pain with no medical basis.
• Excessive crying.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
• Lack of energy, constant fatigue.
• Slowed thinking.
• Difficulty in concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
• Loss of interest in daily activities.
• Loss of sex drive.
• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness.
• Restlessness, agitation, irritability.
• Feelings of inappropriate guilt or worthlessness.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
We now know that depression results from an interaction of several factors - environmental, biological, and genetic.
Environmental Factors: Stress resulting from the loss of a job, death of a family member, divorce, or ongoing health or
family problems can trigger depression.
Biological Factors: Depression may also be tied to disturbances in the bio-chemicals that regulate mood and activity.
These bio-chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are substances that carry impulses or messages between nerve cells, in
the brain. An imbalance in the amount or activity of neurotransmitters can cause major disruptions in thought, emotion
and behavior. Some people develop depression as a reaction to other biological factors such as chronic pain, medications,
hypothyroidism or other medical illnesses.
Genetic Factors: Because depression appears to be linked to certain biological factors, people can inherit a predisposition
to develop depression. In fact, 25 percent of those people with depression have a relative with some form of this illness.
THERE IS HELP……
Doctors know more about depression than perhaps any other emotional illness. Because of research and medical advancements,
80 to 90 percent of those with a depressive disorder can be treated successfully.
Evaluation: A complete evaluation with a qualified professional is the first step in seeking treatment. Only a licensed
physician or psychologist can diagnose a person with a psychiatric disorder. During the diagnostic evaluation, the
physician or psychologist will determine if any other factors are contributing to or even causing the depressive symptoms.
Professional Counseling: Various psychotherapies or "talk therapies" commonly used in the treatment of depression focus
on the causes and effects of the illness. Interpersonal therapy helps people deal with problems in personal relationships.
Cognitive therapy helps patients change negative thoughts or perceptions, such as high achievers who are convinced they
are failures.
Medication: Sometimes used in combination with psychotherapy, medication can correct the biochemical imbalances that may
cause depressive episodes. When carefully prescribed and monitored by a physician, medication can relieve symptoms in
three to six weeks. Over the past twenty years the most frequently used depression medications have been tricyclic
antidepressants and monoamine oxidate (MAO) inhibitors. These medications are not habit-forming and are helpful in
reducing the severity, frequency and duration of depressive episodes. However, side effects such as dry mouth,
difficulty urinating, constipation and blurred vision have been associated with their use. Recently, researchers
have introduced a new generation of antidepressants that include fluoxetine (Prozac), bupropion (Wellbutrin) and
sertraline (Zoloft).
WHO IS AT RISK FOR DEPRESSION?
• People who have a family member with depression.
• People who have experienced a stressful or traumatic life event.
• People who lack the social support of a spouse, friends, and extended family.
• People who abuse drugs or alcohol.
• People who have chronic medical illnesses or persistent pain.
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE DEPRESSION….
• Remember, your depression is not your fault and it can be effectively treated.
• Seek treatment. Don't let misconceptions about emotional illness or the discouragement of your depression stop you.
Either on your own, or by asking a friend or family member, contact your family doctor, community mental health center,
or local medical or psychiatric hospital for help.
• In the weeks until treatment becomes effective, you can take some simple steps to help you deal with life on a
day-to-day basis: break large tasks into small steps; set easily managed priorities; participate in light exercise and
relatively undemanding social activities, such as attending a movie or visiting a friend. Simply being with others
can be helpful.
IF SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT HAS DEPRESSION…..
• Encourage treatment. Remember that the symptoms of depression may prevent a person from trying to get help. Your
personal physician, mental health center, or local medical or psychiatric hospital will be able to help you find a
treatment specialist.
• Adjust your expectations and offer support, understanding, and encouragement.
• Demonstrate that you know the person is in pain.
• When the person says or does nothing upsetting because of the depression, try to put your reaction into calm,
reasonable words. This will help the person understand how his or her conduct affects others, and help you better
cope with a trying situation.
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
Thoughts of death and suicide are a typical symptoms of depression. An estimated 15 percent of those with depression
commit suicide, and depression is considered to be the underlying cause in half of all suicides. Because depression can
have fatal consequences, treatment should not be delayed. Any mention of suicide - such as "I wish I were dean,"
or "Everyone would be better off without me" - should be taken seriously.
THERE IS HOPE IN LEARNING MORE
Reach out for help….because the more you learn about depression, the better you will understand that it has specific
causes and effective treatments. And like any illness, depression can affect anyone at any time. By reaching out for
information you can recognize the signs and symptoms of depression. That knowledge may someday allow you to help
someone get the treatment he or she needs to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
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