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What is depression? Depression is a common and serious medical condition that negatively affects how you feel, how you think, and how you function. It is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems and reduce your ability to function at work and at home. Symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling or having a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in once-enjoyable activities, changes in appetite - weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, lack of energy or increased fatigue, feeling worthless or guilty, difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, thoughts of death or suicide. Depression affects an estimated 15 in any given year. affects one adult (6.7 percent). And one in six people (16.6 percent) will experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression can occur at any time, but on average, first appears in the teens to mid-20s. Depression is more common in women than men.
Depression is different from grief or bereavement: the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to cope with. It is normal to develop feelings of sadness or grief in response to such situations. Those experiencing loss may often describe themselves as "depressed." But this is not all the same as depression. The grief process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same characteristics as depression. Both grief and depression can involve severe sadness and withdrawal from normal activities. They also differ in important ways: In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often mixed with positive memories of the past. In major depression, mood and/or interest (happiness) decrease for two weeks. In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common. In grief, thoughts of death may come up when thinking or fantasizing about "joining" the deceased loved one. In major depression, thoughts focus on ending one's life due to feeling worthless or unworthy of living or unable to cope with the pain of depression. Grief and depression can coexist. For some people, The death of a loved one, losing a job, or being the victim of a physical attack or a major disaster can lead to depression. When grief and depression coexist, grief is more intense and lasts longer than grief without depression. Distinguishing between grief and depression is important and can help people seek help, support, or treatment. is what they need.
Depression Risk Factors: Depression can affect anyone, even someone who lives in relatively ideal circumstances. Several factors can play a role in depression: Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain can cause depression. May contribute to symptoms.Genetics: Depression can run in the family. For example, if an identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of developing the disease at some point in life. Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are normal people who are emotionally depressed are more likely to develop depression. Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty can make some people more vulnerable to depression.
How is depression treated? Depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders. 80 to 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients find some relief from their symptoms. Before diagnosis or treatment, a health professional should perform a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and physical examination. In some cases, a blood test may be done to make sure the depression is not caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or vitamin deficiency (reversing the medical cause will reduce depression-like symptoms. ). The assessment will identify specific symptoms and explore medical and family histories as well as cultural and environmental factors with the goal of arriving at a diagnosis and planning a course of action.
Treating depression: Brain chemistry can play a role in a person's depression and can play an important role in their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants may be prescribed to help change one's brain chemistry. These drugs are not sedatives, "uppers" or tranquilizers. They are not habit forming. Antidepressant medications generally do not have a stimulating effect on people who do not experience depression. Antidepressants may provide some improvement in the first week or two of use, but full benefits may not be seen for two to three months. If a patient feels little or no improvement after several weeks, their psychiatrist may change the medication dose or add or substitute another antidepressant. Other psychotropic medications may be helpful in some situations. It is important to tell your doctor if a medicine does not work or if you experience side effects.
Psychiatrists usually recommend it. Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," is sometimes used alone to treat mild depression. For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often used along with antidepressant medications. Psychotherapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on solving problems in the present. CBT helps a person identify distorted/negative thinking with the goal of changing thoughts and behaviors to respond to challenges in a more positive way. can also be included. For example, family or couple therapy can help resolve issues within these close relationships. Group therapy brings people with similar illnesses together in a supportive environment, and can help participants learn how others cope with similar situations. Depending on the severity of the depression, treatment may include: It may take a few weeks or longer. In many cases, significant improvements can be made in 10 to 15 sessions.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT is a medical treatment usually reserved for patients with severe major depression who have not responded to other treatments. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is sedated. A patient typically receives ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. It is usually managed by a team of trained medical professionals that includes a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse or physician assistant. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and years of research have recognized great improvements and its effectiveness as a mainstream rather than a "last resort" treatment.
Self-help and coping: There are many things people can do to help reduce symptoms of depression. For many people, regular exercise helps create positive feelings and improve their mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also help reduce the symptoms of depression. Depression is an actual illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with depression will overcome it. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, the first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Discuss your concerns and request a full evaluation. This is the beginning of meeting your mental health needs.
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