Depression    

Who gets depressed?

Major depressive disorder often referred  to as depression is a common illness that can effect anyone .About 1 in 20 Americans(Over 11 million people) get depressed every year.Depression affects twice as many women as men.

What is depression?

Depression is not just  “feeling blue” or “down in the dumps” It is more than being sad after a loss. Depression is amedical disorder(just like diabetes,high blood pressure, or heart dieases are medical disorders) that day after day affects  your thoughts ,feelings,physical health, and behaviours.

Depression may be caused by many things,including:
           
            Family history and genetics.
            Other general medical illnesses.
            Certain medicine.
            Drugs or alcohol.
            Other psychiatric conditions.

Certain life  conditions(such as extreme stress or grief) may bring a depression or prevent  a full recovery.In some people , depression occurs even when life is going welll. Depression is not your fault.It is not aweakness.It isa medical illness . Depression is treatable

Symptoms:

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Feelings slowed  down  or restless and unable to sit still.
Feeling worthless or guilty.
Increase or decrease in appetite or weight
Thoughts of death and suicide.
Problems concentrating,thinking,remembering,or making decisions.
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time.

What type of treatment will I get?

The major treatment for depression are

Antidepressant medicine
Psychothearpy.
Antidepressant medicine combined with psychotherapy.

In some case of depression ,other treatments, such as  electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) and light therapy,are also useful.

Another form of depression.

Some people with depression have moods swings.They have terrible “lows” (depression) and  in appropriate “highs” (mania) that can last from several days to months.In between the highs and lows ,they feel completely normal.This condition is called biopolar disorderor manic depressive disorder.

Biopolar disorder affects about 1 in 100 people. Biopolar illness in most cases is inherited .It can also caused by other general medical problems such as head injury or other general medical conditions.

Causes of Depression

 Major depressive disorder is not caused by any one factor.It is properly caused by a combination of biological,genetic,psychological, and other factors .Certain life conditions (such as extreme stress or grief ) may bring out a natural psychological or biological tendency toward depression .In some people ,depression occurs even when life is going well.

Drinking toomuch alcohol or using drugs can sometimes cause depression.When drug and alcohol use is stopped,the depression usually goes away.Talk to your health care provider if you have problem with drugs or alcohol.It can be treated.

Remember,major depressive disorder is not caused  by personal weakness, laziness or lack of will power.It is a medical illness that can be treated.