Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the
brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or
"blue" for a few days. Major depression is when a person has five or
more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. If you are one of the more
than 20 million people in the
United
States who have depression, the feelings do
not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. If you're
depressed, you may also have headaches, other aches and pains, digestive
problems and problems with sex. An older person with depression may feel
confused or have trouble understanding simple requests.
Symptoms of depression
•Feeling sad, hopeless and having frequent
crying
spells
•Losing interest or pleasure in things you
used to enjoy
(including sex)
•Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
•Thinking about death or suicide
•Sleeping too much, or having problems
sleeping
•Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
or gain
•Feeling very tired all the time
•Having trouble paying attention and making
decisions
•Having aches and pains that don't get
better with
treatment
•Feeling restless, irritated and easily
annoyed
•Sadness
•Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
you used to
enjoy
•Change in weight
•Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
•Energy loss
•Feelings of worthlessness
•Thoughts of death or suicide
•Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
•Dramatic change in appetite, often with
weight gain or
loss
•Extreme difficulty concentrating
•Fatigue and lack of energy
•Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
•Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and
inappropriate
guilt
•Inactivity and withdrawal from usual
activities, a loss
of
interest or pleasure in activities that were once
enjoyed (such as sex)
•Thoughts of death or suicide
•Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
Causes of depression:
Depression seems to be related to a chemical imbalance in
the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another.
Depression also seems to be heredity and usually starts between the ages of 15
and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum
depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder
in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.
Depression can be linked to stressful events in your
life, such as the death of someone you love, a divorce or loss of you a job.
Taking certain medicines, abusing drugs or alcohol or having other illnesses
can also lead to depression. Depression isn't caused by personal weakness,
laziness or lack of willpower.
The exact cause of depression is not known. Many
researchers believe it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which may
be hereditary or caused by events in a person's life.
Depression can also occur in people who have no family
history of the illness. Stressful life changes or events can trigger depression
in some people. Usually, a combination of factors is involved.
Men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels can
have depression. It occurs more often in women. Major depression can occur in
children and teenagers, and they can also benefit from treatment.
Treatment:
If you're having symptoms of depression, be sure to tell
your doctor so you can get help. Don't expect your doctor to be able to guess
that you're depressed just by looking at you. The sooner you seek treatment,
the sooner the depression will lift.
Once you tell your doctor how you're feeling, he or she
may ask you some questions about your symptoms, about your health and about
your family history of health problems. Your doctor may also give you a
physical exam and do some tests.
Depression can be treated in a variety of ways,
particularly with medications and counseling. Most people benefit from a
combination of the two treatments. Some studies have shown that antidepressant
drug therapy combined with psychotherapy has better results than either therapy
alone.
Medications include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and some
newer antidepressant drugs. Although antidepressant medications can be very
effective, some may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, in 2007, the
FDA proposed that all antidepressant medicines should warn of the risk of
suicidal behavior in young adults ages 18 - 24 years.
Lithium and thyroid supplements may be needed to enhance
the effectiveness of antidepressants. People with psychotic symptoms, such as
delusions or hallucinations, may need antipsychotic medications. The
antipsychotic medication quetiapine has also been approved for treating
episodes of depression in people with bipolar disorder.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that causes
a seizure by means of an electrical current. ECT may improve the mood of
severely depressed or suicidal people who don't respond to other treatments.
Research is now being conducted on transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS), which alters brain function in a way similar to ECT, but
with fewer side effects. Use of light therapy for depressive symptoms in the
winter months and interventions to restore a normal sleep cycle may be
effective for relieving depression.
As treatment takes effect, negative thinking diminishes.
It takes time to feel better, but there are usually day-to-day improvements.
It is
important to maintain a healthy lifestyle:
•Avoid alcohol and drugs (which make
depression worse
and may interfere with medications)
•Eat well-balanced meals
•Get regular exercise and sleep
•Seek supportive relationships
Many
consumers try herbal products for depression. Studies about herbal products
reveal that herbal products can have side effects, always tell your doctor if
you are using them.
