Depression What is it?

A depressed mood that stays around for a while, without letting up, can change the way a person thinks or feels. Doctors call this “clinical depression.” Women suffer from depression twice as often as men.

Feeling depressed  over a period of time is not normal. One out of five adults may experience a depressive episode at some point in their lives. A person who feels this way needs medical help. For many people, depression can be treated successfully. “Talk” therapies, drugs or other methods of treatment can ease the pain of depression

Symptoms of depression

When a person is clinically depressed, his or her ability to function both mentally and physically is affected. The trouble may last for weeks, months or even years. Here is a list of the most common signs of depression:

• A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight loss
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders)
• Restlessness or irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions 

If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms and they last for more then two weeks , or if the symptoms interfere with your daily routine, see a doctor or a qualified mental health professional. 

Symptoms vary widely among people and, sometimes, depression can hide behind a smiling face.  Do not ignore the warning signs. At its worst, serious depression can lead to suicide.  Listen carefully when a friend or relative complains about being depressed or of people not caring. The person may be telling you that he or she needs help.

The Cause of  Depression

There is no single cause of depression. Depression can run in families. Changes in brain chemistry and living through painful and difficult events in life also can cause depression. Sometimes depression can be caused by certain medications people take for cancer, arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure. Some illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, stroke and hormonal problems also can cause depression.

How is depression treated?

Depression is the most treatable of all mental illnesses. About 60 to 80 percent of depressed people can be treated successfully. Depending on the case, various kinds of therapies seem to work.

Antidepressant drugs also can help. These medications can improve mood, sleep, appetite and concentration. There are several types of these drugs available.  In some cases, health care providers may need to try different medicines to find the one(s) that help the most.

Help and Depression

The first step to getting help is to overcome negative attitudes about treatment that stand in the way. The subject of mental illness still makes many people uncomfortable. Some feel that getting help is a sign of weakness. Many people mistakenly believe that a depressed person can quickly “snap out of it” or that some people are too old to be helped. The earlier people identify signs and symptoms, the better the chances to avoid costly treatments and/or consequences, like suicide. Following are some ways to get help:

• Talk to your health care provider about how you are feeling. A professional can help assess whether there are medical or drug-related reasons for the symptoms of depression. After a complete exam, the physician may refer the patient to a mental health specialist for further study and possible treatment.  
• Talk to a family member, friend or religious leader you trust and who can help you find someone to treat your depression. 

Postpartum Depression

For most women, postpartum depressions are short-term, with no adverse consequences. As many as 80 percent of women experience the “postpartum blues,” a brief period of depressive symptoms. Additionally, 10 percent to 15 percent of women suffer from postpartum clinical depression within three months of delivery. Clinical postpartum depression is described as intense feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety and irritability that disrupt a woman's ability to function, which is a sign that medical attention is necessary. In rare cases, a woman may experience postpartum psychosis within three months after delivery. Women suffering from postpartum psychosis may completely lose touch with reality and may experience hallucinations and delusions. Women who develop this condition and who have thoughts of harming their infants are more likely to act on their thoughts than women with non-psychotic depression.