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UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION
Depression isn’t periodic sadness, and it isn’t the blues. You can’t pull yourself out of it. It’s a very real physiological condition with real symptoms. If you think that you or a loved one may be suffering from this debilitating disease but isn’t sure, the following information will help. There are definite symptoms to watch for, and there is something you can do about it.
SYMPTOMS
* Difficulty making decisions
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
* Insomnia, oversleeping, or waking up in the early morning hours
* Loss of appetite or overeating
* Irritability, restlessness
* Less or no interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed
* Diminished interest in sex
* Persistent sad or empty mood
* Anxiousness
* Pessimistic attitude toward life, hopelessness
* Suicide attempts or thoughts of death
* Low energy levels, a feeling of being in slow motion, fatigue
* Difficulty in remembering or concentrating on specific tasks
The
above symptoms are the most common, but a depressed person doesn’t have to
suffer from all of them to have depression. If you or someone you know have
suffered from two or more of these symptoms for a few weeks or more, get help
immediately.
GETTING HELP
The first step is to contact your doctor
and get a complete physical exam to rule out any other physical ailments. Next,
a psychological evaluation is in order to determine symptoms, and what type of
depression you suffer from. There are three major types of depression: major
depression, dysthymia (mild), or bipolar disorder.
After
a complete diagnostic and mental status exam, various treatments will be
discussed. A combination of psychotherapy and medication has proven to be more
successful than just one method. The medication helps the patient
physiologically while the psychotherapy helps him to learn to effectively deal
with the pattern of negative thought and life in general.
CAUSES
There is some evidence that certain types
of depression can run in families. The most important point to note is that
people who are depressed do not appear to produce enough neuro-chemicals such as
seratonin in the brain. It is a biological fact. Also, it is possible for some
who have grown up in negative surroundings to suffer from depression. These
people commonly suffer from low self-esteem, and the glass is half-empty
attitude toward life. They are easily overwhelmed by the everyday stresses of
life.
IF YOU HAVE DEPRESSION
Know that you’re not alone. At any given time it is estimated that nineteen million other Americans suffer from some form of depression.
Don’t expect those positive feelings to return in a day or two. It takes time for psychotherapy to undo the negative thinking patterns, and effects of depression. Try exercising or participating in some mild physical activity. Engage in simple hobbies or activities you enjoy. Call up a friend and do something together.
IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS DEPRESSION
Be there for that person and listen to them. Check up on them, help them with the cleaning or get them out of the house for a while. Make sure they are getting the help they need. Make an appointment with their doctor if you have to. You could literally be saving that person from death.
Support Services:
8401 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX. 78757-7597
Phone: (512) 454-3706 ext.218
Web site: www.mhatexas.org
MHMR of Austin/Travis County
Hotline to Help: (512) 427-4357
Hotline to Help is Austin and Travis
County’s 24-hour triage, crisis intervention
and suicide prevention program.
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