| What does depression mean to you? Depression is a | | | | depression. Psychotherapy and anti-depressant |
| very serious mood disorder that can affect anyone | | | | medication can be effective. |
| regardless of age, gender, race, social status or | | | | If depression is not treated it can get worse. The first |
| ethnicity. Depression is an illness that affects your | | | | step to obtaining treatment for depression is to obtain |
| body, mind, disposition, sleep and your thoughts. This | | | | a medical examination by a physician as there are |
| condition can be caused by many factors. There can | | | | certain medical conditions that have symptoms similar |
| also be a genetic component to depression. | | | | to depression. A person may not be aware that they |
| Have you been told that you have diagnosis of | | | | are depressed and do not understand why they are |
| depression? Do some of the feelings and experiences | | | | experiencing various physical symptoms. A skillful |
| listed here get in the way of living your life the way | | | | doctor can diagnose the true situation. Psychiatrists are |
| you want to? For example, do you feel like your life is | | | | trained to differentiate depression from other medical |
| hopeless and you are worthless? Do you feel anxious | | | | conditions. At your initial visit a history of your present |
| or feel like something bad is going to happen? Do you | | | | difficulties will be taken. Other symptoms, family history, |
| feel out of touch with the world? Have you lost | | | | past medical problems are other basic steps that may |
| interest in pleasurable activities? Do you feel that | | | | be taken so an accurate diagnosis can be made. If |
| others are against you? Are you experiencing a lot of | | | | medication is prescribed it is important to learn what |
| stress, intense sadness, loss of energy and burn-out? | | | | you can about the medication and any possible side |
| Are you having trouble concentrating and have low | | | | effects. If you are experiencing side effects it is critical |
| energy? | | | | to consult with your physician. It is important to give |
| When you are depressed it is very hard to think | | | | medication a chance to work and the side effects |
| clearly or make decisions. It may be hard to think of | | | | may be temporary. Do not stop taking an |
| anything to do to help yourself feel better. If you are | | | | anti-depressant without consulting your doctor. It is |
| feeling blue most of the time you may have a type of | | | | important to safely discontinue the medication. Some |
| depression. There are three main types of depression: | | | | medications must be stopped gradually. |
| major depressive disorder, manic-depressive disorder | | | | Finding the right treatment is important. The choice of |
| and dysthymic disorder. | | | | treatment varies with the kind and severity of the |
| Major depression is also referred to as unipolar | | | | depression. If treatment is needed it is important to find |
| depression and can interfere with a person's ability to | | | | out about the therapist's qualifications. Having a trained |
| function. A person may have marked difficulty in | | | | therapist listen carefully can be very helpful in relieving |
| functioning as this type of depression can disrupt social | | | | depression. A therapist can help you gain insight into |
| or occupational functioning. | | | | and resolve your problems. |
| A second type is manic-depressive disorder and is | | | | The benefits of treatment include partial or complete |
| also known as bi-polar disorder. This type involves | | | | remission of the symptoms of depression and |
| episodes of major depression that alternates with | | | | reduction of pain and suffering. Treatment can |
| episodes of mania. This type can be extremely | | | | enhance your general well-being. Other helpful |
| disruptive and concerning. Everyone has good days | | | | strategies include learning all you can about depression. |
| and bad days and ups and downs. Therefore, this type | | | | Educate yourself! It is important to express your |
| must be sufficiently severe that it causes marked | | | | feelings and accept them. |
| impairment in occupational functioning or marked | | | | It is important to obtain an appropriate diagnosis and |
| impairment in relationships with others. With this type of | | | | treatment if needed. Depression is not a character |
| depression a person may display different symptoms | | | | flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Depression is a |
| during different periods of the illness. | | | | treatable illness and be assured that with time and |
| The third type is a milder form of depression called | | | | good care you will feel better. Involve your family |
| dysthymic disorder. This type is diagnosed when a | | | | members and friends. If there are community |
| depressed mood is present almost every day for at | | | | resources take advantage of them. There may be |
| least two years. This type is referred to as a | | | | support groups in your area. Do not go through this |
| low-grade depression and can start in the early teen | | | | alone. The best time to address depression is now as |
| age years and later in life. Dysthymia may be | | | | the sooner you receive treatment - the sooner you will |
| accompanied by social aloofness, lack of | | | | feel better. Your life is waiting! |
| assertiveness and even periods of more severe | | | | |