Depression is the most common of all psychiatric disorders. It is a medical condition of profound and pervasive sadness that often impairs one’s ability to perform routine tasks. Many factors, including life stressors and circumstances, can influence one’s vulnerability to develop depression. 17 percent of Americans will experience a bout of depression in their lifetime. Of those who have depression, many will refrain from discussing their symptoms; two-thirds will seek health care for treatment of a physical symptom like headache or chronic pain. Why the reluctance? Many fear the stigma of mental illness. Some fear the consequences of having a psychiatric illness as effective treatments exist and failure to treat depression can lead to serious problems, the gravest being death.
What is Depression?
Depression is a disease caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that causes you to feel deep sadness, affecting your ability to do everyday tasks, work and interact.
Who is Vulnerable?
Risk factors for depression include:
-personal or family history of depression
-neuroticism (tendency to worry excessively)
-low self-esteem
-anxiety disorder that began in early life
-substance misuse (from problem drinking or drug abuse use to frank addiction)
-trauma during childhood or adulthood
-stressful life events in past year
-parental loss
-low parental warmth
-history of divorce or marital problem
-low social support
-low education
What are the signs of depression?
A depressed person feels down most of the day every day for more than two consecutive weeks and also has at least one of the following:
1. Depressed mood (hopeless, sad or cranky most of the day almost everyday)
2. loss of interest or pleasure in most or all activities
Depression also causes:
-change in appetite or weight (lose or gain)
-insomnia (sleeping too little) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
-psychomotor agitation (restlessness) or retardation (sluggishness)
-fatigue or loss of energy
-feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
-poor concentration (forgetful or confused)
-recurrent thought or death of suicide
If you think you might be depressed, see your doctor or healthcare provider. Only a healthcare professional trained in mental health can determine if you are depressed.
Suicidal ideation, or thoughts of suicide or death, can be passive (with thoughts that “life is not worth living”) or active (with intent, formulating plans to commit suicide). Suicidality worsens when one feels so hopeless that suicide become their solution to end emotional pain.
Seek emergent medical attention if you want to hurt or kill yourself.
-CALL 911
-go to the emergency room at the closest hospital
-Call the National SUicide Prevention Lifeline @ 1-800-273-8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Treatment
If your healthcare provider diagnosis you with depression, that provider will provide more in depth informtaion on your condition and will customize your treatment. People with milder cases of depression may improve with counseling (psychotherapy) or by taking medication. People with more severe depression usually require antidepressant medications and often need a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Many who take medications begin to feel better to feel better within two weeks but it may take up to eight weeks for the medication to take full effect. Counseling or psychotherapy may also help within a few weeks but may require a few months. Dont give up. If you do not feel your treatment is working. Let your doctor know; you and your doctor must work together to reassess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to optimize your treatment.
-Dr. Theresa M. Santos, M.D
Panel of Expert
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