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Depression is a serious condition that affects one’s moods, thoughts, and body. Everyone feels sad or blue occasionally during upsetting life circumstances. However, sad feelings that persist for more than two weeks or interfere with daily functioning may be a sign of something more serious. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 17 million adults in the United States suffer from depression in any given year. Symptoms of depression include the following:
- Sad or depressed mood
- Loss of pleasure in daily activities
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling restless or slowed down
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
- Thoughts of death or suicide
A person does not have to have every symptom to be depressed. Having just a few of the symptoms to the point that they cause distress or interfere with functioning is a reason to seek treatment.
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There is no one cause to depression. The fact that depression runs in families leads researchers to believe that in some cases, a vulnerability to become depressed may be inherited. Certain medical conditions, such as stroke, cancer, heart attack, Parkinson’s disease, and certain hormonal disorders may causes physical conditions that lead to depression. Often though, difficulty coping with an upsetting life circumstance, or getting stuck in certain thinking and behavioral patterns can trigger and exacerbate a depressive episode.
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There is no need to suffer alone, as there are many effective treatments for depression. Some people choose psychotherapy alone, some people choose medication alone, and others choose a combination approach. There is some evidence that the rate of relapse of depression is reduced when psychotherapy is used, either alone or with medications, as compared to using medication alone. The knowledge and skills that a person learns during psychotherapy can continue to be applied long after psychotherapy stops, whereas, medications leaves the body soon after one stops taking them. The decision about the best course of treatment varies for each person in terms of their situation and treatment preferences, and is best made with the assistance of a qualified mental health professional. For more information on how psychotherapy can help, please see "Learn about Psychotherapy with Dr. Susan Cook Maytorena" or feel free to contact me.
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--Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
--American Psychological Association’s information page on depression
--HELPGUIDE.ORG
-- National Alliance on Mental Illness
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