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About Depression

Depression

Everyone feels sad or unhappy at times. Sometimes we're grieving the loss of a loved one or experiencing major illness, job loss or a divorce or separation. Although our feelings of sadness may be strong, over time they should diminish.

How can you tell if you're depressed?

Depression occurs when your feelings of sadness or despair last longer than two weeks. Sadness begins to interfere with your daily activities such as working, eating, sleeping. You may come to feel both helpless and hopeless and stop enjoying things you used to like doing. You may even begin to blame yourself for feeling bad.
You may experience yourself as burned out and useless.
You may withdraw socially.
You may lose interest in sexual activity and feel tired and apathetic.
You may come to feel so overwhelmed and exhausted that you contemplate death or suicide.
About 25% of all American people suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Depression can come from situational pressures such as job stress, loss of a loved one or just the pressure of everyday living. However, body chemistry can also influence the thought process, and biological factors do contribute to some kinds of depression. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes can be accompanied by depression.
For many people, however, depression is a signal that life is out of balance and change is needed. When your life situations become untenable, you may react by becoming depressed. The unhappy couple, the angry adolescent, the person whose standards are so high he or she cannot meet them are all candidates for depression.

Treatments for Depression

Depression is a treatable condition. Unfortunately, shame and fear cause many people to suffer needlessly and to delay seeking treatment. Many people still believe depression is a sign of personal failure.

How counseling can help treat depression

A counselor can help identify the life problems that are contributing to your depression and help you decide on changes. You may need help to set goals, see new options and learn new approaches to your problems.
A counselor can help you identify distorted thought patterns that contribute to your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, for example, self-defeating thoughts such as "I've always been a loser and I always will be."
A counselor can help you to stop overgeneralizing and sending yourself negative messages.
A counseling can help you regain a sense of control and pleasure in life.

How medications can treat depression

Medications can be very useful in helping some types of depression, particularly moderate to severe depression. Medication combined with psychotherapy is especially helpful; however, your use of medication should be monitored by a prescribing physician.

Warning signs of depression

Depressive mood; pessimism and feelings of helplessness.
Sleep disturbances -- inability to sleep or sleeping too much, irregular sleep patterns.
Appetite disturbance -- eating far less or far more than usual.
Social withdrawal -- refusal to go out to see friends.
Feelings of worthlessness or blaming self for problems.
Inability to concentrate on routine tasks.
Substance abuse -- alcohol or drugs.

Resources

Dr. Ivan's Depression Central www.psycom.net/depression.central.html

Dr. Ivan Goldberg's page is a clearinghouse for all types of information on depression. He also includes discussions of various treatment modalities and rates their effectiveness.

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association www.ndmda.org/

This site includes articles, links, resources, support groups and links to local chapters of the national organization.

Andrew's Depression Page www.blarg.net/charlatn/Depression.html

This page is full of useful information for people who are depressed and for their loved ones. It includes poetry and short stories written by people with depression. The frequently asked questions from the online group alternate-support-depression, is also included. This site is of special interest because it is so personal.

Postpartum Depression www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum

This site includes essays on postpartum illness, plus causes, prevention and treatment, a worldwide social support network, a guide to anxiety and panic attacks and instructions on how new mothers can build social support systems. It also lists related educational books and videos for new mothers and fathers as well as a bulletin board and one of the most complete bibliographies available.

Frequently asked questions about depression

http://avocado.pc.helsinki.fi/~janne/asdfaq/

This resource has been created by people with depression for people with depression. It is even handed, clear and balanced. We recommend it.