WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Everyone feels “down” at some points in life. Ups and downs are normal. However, for some people, at certain times, these mood fluctuations are so intense that their level of functioning is compromised. At these times it is important to determine if they are suffering from depression.
Depression is a mood disorder that affects how someone feels, thinks, and functions. It can have a biological basis and is also impacted by the environment (stressors and loss). Some people can remember feeling depressed much of their life, while others become depressed over a short period of time. Some people get depressed in response to some difficult situation they encounter, such as a major loss (of a person in their life, or of self-esteem, immigration, birth of a child). Others seem to get depressed for no obvious reason. Depression is not something people choose, although in most cases, there is something they can do about it if they get professional help.
There are several types of depression which include:
• Dysthymia (milder symptoms but chronic)
• Major Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
For Depression:
• Sad, down mood/irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Lack of interest in things
• Never leaving room/lack of energy
• Sleeping long hours/ not sleeping enough
• Eating very little
• Excessive substance use
• Suicidal thoughts, gestures, behaviors
• Self-injury
• Difficulty concentrating
For Mania:
• Dramatic change in behavior and high energy
• Start to do risky or unwise things
• Sleeping very little
• Start to talk rapidly and irrationally
• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling invincible and hyper productive
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Reach out to mental health professionals for help.
Many different effective treatments are available for depression including medication and psychotherapy. The “best” treatment often depends on the particular history of the individual, and the type and severity of depression. Many people benefit from psychotherapy alone while others need a combination of anti-depressant or mood stabilizing medication and psychotherapy. Medication can be prescribed by any physician however, it is recommended that a psychiatrist be consulted. Psychotherapists and other mental health resources can be found by contacting insurance companies, family physicians, community mental health centers, yellow pages, and agencies such as NAMI, United Way.
• Get educated.
National Institute of Mental Health provides useful information. Check out the following websites:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/friend.cfm