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Depression is known as the
common cold of mental health.
It is very common. People are affected in different ways by depression.
Some people have trouble sleeping, they lose weight, and they
generally feel agitated and irritable. Others may sleep and eat
too much and continuously feel worthless and guilty. Still others
can function reasonably well at work and put a happy face on
in front of others, while deep down they feel quite.
In addition they will have
other physical and mental symptoms that may include fatigue,
difficulty with concentration and memory, feelings of hopelessness
and helplessness, headaches, body aches, and thoughts of suicide.
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms that people have when they're depressed can include:
- depressed mood or sadness
most of the time
(for what may seem like no reason)
- lack of energy and feeling
tired all the time
- inability to enjoy things
that used to bring pleasure
- withdrawal from friends and
family
- irritability, anger, or anxiety
- inability to concentrate
- significant weight loss or
gain
- significant change in sleep
patterns
(inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get up
in the morning)
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- aches and pains (with no known
medical cause)
- pessimism and indifference
(not caring about anything in the present or future)
- thoughts of death or suicide
When someone has five or more
of these symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, that
person is probably depressed.
At the Mood Disorders Clinic
we take a practical approach with depression. We know that when
a client is coming in for an initial assessment for depression
that they are suffering. We work carefully to create an individualized
treatment approach (plan) that will help you reduce symptoms
of depression quickly. We may refer you to our in house Physician
or to your primary care physician for a medication consult if
we the think it is appropriate and if you are in agreement. We
will get you started in The Mood Disorder Clinic as quickly
as possible.
Call 505-242-6988 ext. 112
for more information or to schedule an appointment.
We will see you for an initial
intake, make sure that your treatment plan is properly tailored
to your needs, and refer you to the clinic.
Results are monitored every
week. Most clients notice gradual improvement every week and
in most cases anxiety is reduced or eliminated in 30-90 days.
Please get help immediately
if you or your family members have any of the following symptoms:
- Thoughts about suicide or
dying
- Attempts to commit suicide
- New or worse depression
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- New or worse irritability
- Acting aggressive, being angry
or
violent New or worse anxiety
- Feeling very agitated or restless
- Panic attacks
- Acting aggressive, being angry
or violent
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- An extreme increase in activity
and talking (mania)
- Other unusual changes in behavior
or mood
More Information about Depression
About two-thirds of those individuals
who have a major depressive episode will recover completely.
The other one-third may recover only partially or not at all.
People who do not recover completely may have a higher chance
of experiencing one or more additional episodes.
Those with a parent or sibling
who has had major depression may be 1.5 to 3 times more likely
to develop the condition than those who do not.
For those who have recurrent
episodes of major depression, the course of the illness tends
to vary. Some people experience bouts of depression separated
by years between episodes in which there are no symptoms. Others
may have periods of several episodes. Still others may have more
and more occurrences as they age.
The development of major depressive
disorder may be related to certain medical illnesses. As many
as 20%-25% of those who have illnesses such as substance or behavioral
dependence, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and myocardial infarction
are likely to develop major depressive disorder sometime during
the presence of their medical illness. Managing or treating a
medical condition can be more difficult if a person is also clinically
depressed. The prognosis for the medical problem may also be
less positive.
Although there is no blood
test to diagnose depression, there are well-developed clinical
guidelines used by our clinicians to diagnose major depressive
disorder.
Prescription Medications
There are several types of
prescription antidepressant medications that are divided into
different classes. Each antidepressant class affects the levels
of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which are
thought to be involved in regulating mood.
The most commonly prescribed
prescription antidepressant classes are SSRIs (selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors). SSRIs are believed to treat depression by affecting
the levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. SNRIs are
believed to treat depression by affecting the levels of two neurotransmitters
called serotonin and norepinephrine.
It's important to know that
it could take as many as 6 to 8 weeks for the full therapeutic
effect to begin to occur. It is important to give the medication
a chance to work and to take it exactly as directed by your health
care professional.
How Others Act Around People
Who Are Depressed
Not everyone recognizes depression
when it happens to someone they know. Sometimes friends or family
members recognize that someone is depressed. They may respond
with kindness or support. They may offer to listen. Some people
don't really understand about depression. They may react to a
depressed person's low energy with judgment or criticism, yelling
at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some people
mistakenly believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood
that a person can shake off.
Sometimes people who are depressed
don't take their condition seriously enough. Instead, they judge
themselves for being weak in some way because they are depressed.
This can be harmful if it causes people to hide their depression
and avoid getting help.
Occasionally, when depression
causes physical symptoms like apathy, tiredness, headaches or
other stress-related problems, a person may see a doctor. Once
in a while, even a well-meaning doctor may not realize a person
is depressed, and just treat the physical symptoms.
Why Do People Get Depressed?
There is no single cause for
depression. Many factors play a role including perceptual habits,
medical conditions, genetic history, environment, life events.
Genetics
Research shows that depression
runs in families and that some people inherit genes that make
it more likely for them to get depressed. Not everyone who has
the genetic makeup for depression gets depressed, though. And
many people who have no family history of depression have the
condition. So although genes are one factor, they aren't the
single cause of depression.
Life Happenings
The death of a family member,
friend, or pet can go beyond normal grief and sometimes lead
to depression. Other difficult life happenings, such as divorce,
separation, job loss, and retirement, can trigger depression.
Even happenings like moving to a new neighborhood or changing
schools can lead to a person becoming depressed.
Family and Social Environment
For some a stressful or unhappy
family atmosphere can lead to depression. This can also include
high-stress living situations such as poverty; homelessness;
and violence in the family, relationships, or community.
Substance use and abuse also
can cause chemical changes in the brain that affect mood - alcohol
and some drugs are known to have depressant effects. The negative
social and personal consequences of substance abuse also can
lead to severe unhappiness and depression.
At the same time there are
many people who live in these social conditions that do not develop
depression.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions
can affect hormone balance and therefore have an effect on mood.
Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism, are known to cause a
depressed mood in some people. When these medical conditions
are diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression usually
disappears.
For some teens, undiagnosed
learning disabilities might block school success, hormonal changes
might affect mood, or physical illness might present challenges
or setbacks.
What Happens in the Brain
When Someone Is Depressed?
Depression involves our brain
chemistry.
These chemicals help send messages
between nerve cells in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters regulate
mood, and if they run low, people can become depressed, anxious,
and stressed. Stress also can affect the balance of neurotransmitters
and lead to depression.
Sometimes, a person may experience
depression without being able to point to any particular cause.
People who have a genetic predisposition to depression may be
more prone to the imbalance of neurotransmitter activity that
is part of depression. Medications that doctors use to treat
depression work by helping to restore the proper balance of neurotransmitters.
Depression versus Sadness?
Sadness is a natural emotion.
The normal ups and downs of life can lead anyone to feel sad
every once in a while. A relationship breakup, criticism from
others, not getting a job, or a best friend moving out of town
can lead to feelings of sadness, hurt, disappointment, or grief.
These reactions are natural and dissipate with time.
Depression is a mood disorder.
It is an illness. Depression is a stronger than a mood involving
sadness or discouragement. It is more like despair, or hopelessness
that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. It interferes with
a person's ability to function and participate in normal activities.
Depression affects a person's
thoughts, outlook, and behavior as well as mood. A person with
depression can also feel tired, irritable, and notice changes
in appetite.
When someone has depression,
it can cloud everything. The world looks bleak and the person's
thoughts reflect that hopelessness and helplessness. People with
depression tend to have negative and self-critical thoughts.
Because of feelings of sadness and low energy, people with depression
may pull away from those around them or from activities they
once enjoyed. This usually makes them feel lonelier and isolated,
making the depression and negative thinking worse.
Depression can be mild or severe.
At its worst, depression can create such feelings of despair
that a person thinks about suicide.
Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. Some people have
an upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss, headaches,
and sleeping problems when they're depressed.
Everyone can benefit from mood-boosting
activities like exercise, yoga, dance, journaling, or art. It
can also help to keep busy no matter how tired you feel.
People who are depressed shouldn't
wait and hope it will go away on its own because depression can
be effectively treated. Friends or others need to step in if
someone seems severely depressed and isn't getting help.
Many people find that it helps
to open up to parents or other adults they trust. Simply saying,
"I've been feeling really down lately and I think I'm depressed,"
can be a good way to begin the discussion. Ask your parent to
arrange an appointment with a therapist. If a parent or family
member can't help, turn to your school counselor, best friend,
or a helpline to get help.
When Depression Is Severe
People who are extremely depressed
and who may be thinking about hurting themselves or about suicide
need help as soon as possible. When depression is this severe,
it is a very real medical emergency, and an adult must be notified.
Most communities have suicide hotlines where people can get guidance
and support in an emergency.
Although it's important to
be supportive, trying to cheer up a friend or reasoning with
him or her probably won't work to help depression or suicidal
feelings go away. Depression can be so strong that it outweighs
a person's ability to respond to reason. Even if your friend
has asked you to promise not to tell, severe depression is a
situation where telling can save a life. The most important thing
a depressed person can do is to get help. If you or a friend
feels unsafe or out of control, get help now. Tell a trusted
adult, call 911, or go to the emergency room.
Depression doesn't mean a person
is "crazy." Depression (and the suffering that goes
with it) is a real and recognized medical problem. Just as things
can go wrong in all other organs of the body things can go wrong
in the brain. |
