Depression: You Don't Have to Feel This Way
What is depression?
When doctors talk about
depression, they mean the medical illness called major
depression. Someone with major depression has symptoms like
those listed in the box below nearly every day, all day, for 2
weeks or longer.
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.
What causes 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 genetic (to run in families).
Depression can be linked to
events in your life, such as the death of someone you love, a
divorce or job loss. 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.
How is depression diagnosed?
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.
How is depression treated?
Depression can be treated with
medicines, or a special type of counseling called
psychotherapy, or with both.
What about medicines?
Many medicines can be used to
treat depression. These medicines are called antidepressants
and they work very well. They correct the chemical imbalance
in the brain that causes depression.
Antidepressants work differently
for different people. They also have different side effects.
So, even if one medicine bothers you or doesn't work for you,
another may help. You may notice improvement as soon as 1 week
after you start taking the medicine. But you probably won't
see the full effects for about 6 to 8 weeks. You may have side
effects at first but they tend to lessen after a couple of
weeks.
How long will I need medicine?
How long you'll need to take the
medicine depends on your depression. Your doctor may want you
to take medicine for 4 to 6 months or longer. You need to take
the medicine long enough to reduce the chance that the
depression will come back. Talk with your doctor about any
questions you have about your medicine.
What is psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, you talk with
your family doctor, a psychiatrist or a therapist about things
that are going on in your life. The focus may be on your
thoughts and beliefs or on your relationships. Or the focus
may be on your behavior, how it's affecting you and what you
can do differently. Psychotherapy often lasts for a limited
time, such as 8 to 20 visits.
Will I need to go to the
hospital?
Depression can usually be treated
through visits to your doctor. Treatment in the hospital may
be needed if you have other medical conditions that could
affect your treatment or if you're at high risk of
suicide.
How long will the depression
last?
This depends on how soon you get
help. Left untreated, depression can last for weeks, months or
even years. The main risk in not getting treatment is suicide.
Treatment can help depression lift in 6 to 8 weeks, or less.
What about suicide?
People with depression sometimes
think about suicide. This thinking is part of the depression.
If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, tell your doctor,
friends or family, or call your local suicide hot line (the
number is in the phone book).
Get help right away. The good
news is that there are people who can help you, and depression
can be treated.
Other
Organizations
Depression and Bipolar Support
Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org
800-826-3632
National Institute of Mental
Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm
866-615-6464
National Mental Health
Association
http://www.nmha.org
800-969-NMHA (800-969-6642)
National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill
http://www.nami.org
800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264)
American Psychiatric
Association
http://www.psych.org
800-35-PSYCH
(800-357-7924)
