Depression

Depression is more than a 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 may 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. It affects about 10 percent of the U.S. population or more than 17.6 million people every year. One in four women and one in 10 men will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime.

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 go away

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A PERSON HAS DEPRESSION?

If you or a person you know has exhibited four or more of the following symptoms for more than two weeks, professional help should be considered:

• 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

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 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 something 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 symptom of depression. An estimated 15 percent of those with depression commit suicide over a lifetime, 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 dead," 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.