Depression
All of us have times in our lives when we feel a little sad or down. Sometimes these feelings are sudden and overwhelming, following a positive or negative life change (for example, losing a job or having a baby) and sometimes they develop slowly for seemingly no reason at all. These temporary “downs” are healthy and expected reactions; they are normal feelings that most people experience at certain times. For some of us, though, these feelings don’t fade away as easily; they may last for more than a few days and start to affect our everyday lives. This may mean sleeping much more or less than usual, becoming angry quickly or often, or having difficulty making decisions. When these experiences (along with others, see below) last for a few weeks, it is critical to take them seriously - they may be signs of depression. It is important to note that depression is not part of the regular ups and downs all of us experience throughout our lives; it creates shifts in the way we think, feel, and behave that last for more than just a few days.
Depression is a common yet serious health issue that can affect people’s feelings about themselves, their ability to function throughout the day, and the people around them. Having a parent with untreated depression in particular can have permanent affects on the family, especially while children are developing. Surprisingly, depression can also significantly damage one’s physical health, if left untreated. This is of great concern because many people think, “I’ll just get over this” or, “I’ll wait it out” and do not get the help that they need. Anyone can develop depression- no matter his or her age, life situation, or family history. It is not anyone’s fault if they develop depression. The good news is that depression is quite treatable if a person gets professional help. The right treatment can mean quicker and more successful recovery.
There are two types of treatment for depression: therapy and medication. Therapy means speaking with a trained psychologist or social worker to learn skills that will help change the way depression makes you think, feel, and act so that you can overcome it. Therapy that is focused on building these skills is very effective and can help you cope with difficult thoughts and feelings in the future as well. Before starting therapy, however, it’s important to first ask if the professional you are considering was trained to treat depression. Medications for depression are prescribed by a psychiatrist or your regular doctor and can be very effective, if needed. These may take a few weeks to work and it’s important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to make sure the medicine is working best for you. Not everyone should take medication and many people only need it temporarily. Treatment can include both therapy and medication or just therapy alone, depending on the diagnosis and personal choice. Most people say that once they find the right treatment, they feel “back to themselves again”.
What Are The Signs of Depression?
The following list includes many of the signs for depression. If you or someone you care about has three or more of these signs for more than a few weeks, it may indicate the need for help. Given that some of these signs may be caused by other circumstances (for example, certain medications make people feel tired more often), it is important to speak to a professional for accurate diagnosis.
· Feeling sad or “empty” most of the time
· Not enjoying the things he/she used to enjoy doing
· Being mad at everyone and everything
· Feeling fearful and upset without knowing why
· Feeling guilty, worthless, or hopeless
· Being forgetful, having difficulty concentrating, or making decisions
· Feeling unhappy with life
· Withdrawing from regular activities, family, and friends
· Thinking about death excessively
· Having difficulty sleeping or wanting to sleep more than usual
· Wanting to eat more or less than usual
· Having a lot of aches and pains that do not go away
Depression in Children
Keep in mind that depression also affects children and teenagers, although they may have different signs and symptoms than adults. Some of these signs include acting angry and irritable instead of sad or tearful. Additionally, sudden and drastic changes in behavior or school performance, getting into trouble often or having difficulty getting out of bed in the morning may also indicate depression.
It is important to note that depression is not part of the regular ups and downs all of us experience throughout our lives; it creates shifts in the way we think, feel, and behave and lasts for more than just a few days. |
What Should I Do?
Speak to a qualified professional to find out if these signs are part of depression. Ask your primary care doctor.
If someone you care about has signs of depression, encourage them to speak to a professional. If you are able, you can give them the number of a professional they can call or even go with them to their appointment, if necessary. Telling this person that you care about them and that you are there for them is always helpful.
Sources
National Institute of Mental Health. Depression. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2002. (NIH Publication Number 02-5084). Available from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm.
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