Are You or Someone You Know Depressed?

Depression is a mental illness that effects approximately 1 in every 18 individuals or about 14.4 million people in the United States. Depression does not discriminate and effects adults, children, the elderly and all races. Depression can strike in people who are successful and wealthy as well as those who may be homeless. Depression causes people to feel alone, hopeless, devastated and helpless over their own lives.

The symptoms of depression vary from each individual. The most common symptoms include:

Continuous sadness, anxiety or feeling "empty"

Feeling hopeless and pessimistic

Having a loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities that the person used to enjoy.

Feeling guilty, worthless and helpless

Having trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Decreased energy, fatigue

Increase or a decrease in amount of sleep

Changes in appetite (dramatic weight gain or loss)

Suicidal or homicidal thoughts

Being restless or irritable

Physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment such as headaches, digestive problems and chronic pain

Individuals may experience only a few of these symptoms depending on the severity of their condition. Everyone has experienced at least one of these symptoms at some time in their lives, the problem occurs when the person is experiencing these symptoms persistently and cannot function in everyday activities such as work or school. Many times, people who suffer from depression quit their jobs, drop out of school and shut themselves off from society. This is a serious illness and requires treatment so that the individual can return back to living happy and healthy.

Treatment depends on the severity of the depression. Some individuals are able to find relief from psychotherapy alone. Many individuals need extra support during a crisis and no medications are needed. However, most people need the conjunction of both medications and psychotherapy.

Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain and the help of psychotropic medication can help this imbalance. There are four types of medications used to treat depression:

Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil

Tricyclic and tetra cyclic antidepressants - Elavil, Pamelor, or Ludiomil

Atypical antidepressants - Wellbutrin, Effexor or Remeron

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) - Nardil, Marplan or Parnate

The type of medication that would work best would depend on the individual and the specific symptoms that person is experiencing. Finding the medication best suited for someone suffering with depression is through trial and error. It may take several tries of different medications before finding the one that alleviates symptoms. Many individuals become frustrated and stop treatment due to the need to change their medication. However, it is very important that people continue taking their medication for effective treatment.

Sometimes individuals will not respond to any of the medications. Health professionals will try every possible treatment option before turning to ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy). ECT is the process of sending electrical impulses to the brain by places electrodes at precise locations on the head. The impulses cause a short seizure in the brain (approximately 30 seconds). The person does not feel anything while the impulses are sent to the brain. For ECT to be effective, individuals will need to be treated several times at a rate of three times per week. In conjunction with treatment, some will try to find ways to relieve some of their symptoms on their own.

Some ways to help individuals feel better about themselves include:

Set reasonable and attainable goals

Take large tasks and break them into small ones, make a list of priorities

Reach out to someone you trust

Try to find some activities you enjoy and do them, even if you have to make yourself do them at first

Exercise, join a group, or other social activity

Try not to make any big transitions during the depression such as moving, changing jobs, etc.

Self affirmations, try to tell yourself that you are a good person and write down all the positives in your life

Friends and family can be the best support system you have, so let them in

Depression can be a lonely, frightening and debilitating illness. You don't have to go through it alone. There are many options for treatment and many things you can do to help yourself back to recovery. It is important that if you or someone you know suffers from depression that they seek professional help right away. While not all individuals who suffer from depression commit suicide, some do, so it is very important for sufferers to seek help. So please contact your

References:local mental health facility or National Institute of Mental Health for more information.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/tc/Depression-Medicationshttp://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/d/depression/prevalence.htmhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml