Depression Information

The Facts

People who struggle with depression often report feeling as if they are in a “black hole” where there is no light and they see no way that things will ever get better. When depressed people feel very hopeless and helpless to do anything to change how they feel. They are often irritable without reason, are unable to concentrate, and experiences changes in their appetite and sleep. People with depression may have no energy, even for things they previously enjoyed doing, much less tasks which are taxing. Their hygiene may suffer and they often find themselves crying for no reason. People in a depressive episode often isolate and stop interacting with friends and family, often refusing to leave their room or their home. If you feel “down” for more than two weeks to the point that these feelings are preventing you from functioning in your daily life, you may be clinically depressed.

The descent into the black hole of depression is often gradual, but sometimes sudden and often repeats itself throughout their life times. For weeks before actually hitting bottom people typically experience symptoms of depression coming on. It is important to learn to recognize the symptoms early and develop intervention strategies in order to avoid a full blown episode of depression. Some early symptoms of a depressive episode can be: changes in mood, sleep or appetite, changes in concentration and memory, changes in thinking patterns, changes in hygiene, changes in social behavior.

Many people with depression do not seek help, even though modern treatments have been found to be quite successful. In the depths of a depressive episode they may feel too helpless and hopeless, mistakenly believing that things have always been this way and always will be this way, so why bother to get help? This is why it is so important to get help before getting to that point. Prevention is crucial when treating clinical depression.

The symptoms of depression include but are not limited to:

constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
restlessness or feeling slowed down
decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
thoughts of suicide or death

If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.

Serious depression may also be accompanied by psychosis. Psychosis is manifested as either hallucinations: hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling or seeing things which are not there or delusional thinking. Additional treatment is necessary if psychotic symptoms are presented.

Causes of Depression

It is important to differentiate between clinical depression and other forms of feeling of bad. Clinical depression has no situational cause. By contrast, if you have experienced the death of a loved one, a divorce, the end of a relationship, trauma, financial problems, or health problems, you are more probably experiencing a normal reaction to those problems. You may also have both issues occurring simultaneously. People who suffer from clinical depression also lose loved ones. It’s important to consult a professional when in doubt. Regardless of the cause of your pain, help is available. Regarding clinical depression, there can be many factors involved.

Depression is not just “in your head”. It is a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters in your brain which causes physical changes in the way signals are transmitted. Since your emotions are produced by these neurochemicals and the signals which are transmitted, an emotional reaction to their imbalance is logical.

Depression is often inherited and runs in families.

A person’s personality and outlook may feed depressive symptoms. Always seeing that the glass is half-empty rather than half-full can exacerbate depressive symptoms and may be symptoms of Dysthymia, a form of less severe depression.

Medical conditions like HIV, HCV, cancer, or any long-term illness can not only exacerbate depressive symptoms but affected by depression as well. Depression has been shown to lower immunity and make patients more sensitive to pain. Depression may also be caused by certain medications.

Trauma can also cause severe feelings of depression. Substance abuse may also cause depressive symptoms as can anxiety disorders and eating disorders.
Depression’s Effects on People
16% of Americans will be diagnosed with depression at some time in their life. However, the manifestation of depression is greatly influenced by gender, age, and culture.

Who is affected by Depression

Women are diagnosed with depression twice as often as men. Men are more likely to resist seeking treatment due to cultural norms against expressing weakness or needing help. Women typically express their depression through grief-like symptoms and apathy. Men more typically exhibit symptoms of anger and/or irritability. Women make more suicide attempts than men. Men are four times more likely to succeed at committing suicide than women, perhaps because they often use more violent means to commit suicide.

Many cultures frown on seeking psychological help and being diagnosed with a psychological or mental disorder is greatly stigmatized in some cultures. In many cultures, attempts to mask or self-medicate depression by alcohol or drug use are quite common.

Older white men have the highest rate of suicide in the country. The suicide rate for the elderly has dramatically risen in the past twenty years. The risk is highest when the person is divorced or widowed. Loss of friends, medical complications, loss of quality of life, and having to adjust to new living arrangements are just a few of the factors putting elderly Americans at risk. The elderly are less likely to ask for help and family members may dismiss their depressive symptoms as merely the signs of aging.

Treatment of Depression

Depression can be treated, but treatments are quite varied based on the symptoms and severity. People who have chronic depression must be prepared to alter their lifestyles in order to accomplish significant changes in their mood.

Medications

In the American culture, medication is the preferred method for treatment any form of depression. In cases of severe depression medication would absolutely be the first line of defense. Today’s antidepressants have fewer side effects and many are much faster acting than the older antidepressants.

Many forms of antidepressant medications are available through a psychiatrist or a medical doctor. In our experience, there is a trend to be more aggressive in treating depression, which is good. In previous years, complaints of depression were often minimalized by doctors and a standard 20mg of Prozac administered without further follow up. Today doctors often combine antidepressants and are prescribing higher doses with a greater success in decreasing the more debilitating symptoms of depression. However, lifestyle changes are usually required in addition to medication in treating more serious forms of depression.

There are several things to remember when taking antidepressant medications. Antidepressants work over time, so it is important to take them everyday, as prescribed, over a period of time sufficient to find out how well they can work. People are often reluctant to take medications, fearing they will suffer personality changes, be over sedated, or become dependent on medications. Personality changes only occur in that the symptoms which are blunting the expression of a person’s personality are lifted. Apathy, fatigue, crying, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are decreased allowing a person to more fully experience life. Some antidepressants can be sedating for people struggling with insomnia or anxiety in addition to their depression. Others can be more energizing. Sexual side effects may occur depending on which antidepressant is prescribed. Other people have a false belief that antidepressants will make them happy all of the time. Antidepressants do not do this. They allow natural happiness in life to return, but life is not always happy and people taking antidepressants will experience the normal highs and lows of any life. It is important to discuss concerns with the treating physician so that fears can be addressed and replaced with facts. Once the symptoms have lifted, it is important to keep taking antidepressants as prescribed in order to maintain the alleviation of symptoms and avoid sliding back into the “black hole”.

Alternative Treatments

Counseling or psychotherapy has been found to be very effective in treating Depression. People who suffer from mild depression may benefit from therapy alone, while people with more severe depression may require medication and therapy. Research has shown that merely talking to someone else about your problems can lessen your symptoms significantly.

A therapist can often help you identify negative thinking which exacerbates depression. They can also help you develop lifestyle strategies which will help reduce symptoms of depression and put some of the joy of life back into yours.

Self Care

Medication and psychotherapy can help with symptoms of depression, but there are things which you have to do for yourself in order to feel better. However, each person experiences depression in their own way and it is best to talk to a professional to develop an indivualized plan to address your specific symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression and would like to talk to a counselor please see our Services and Fees page or our Sign Up page in order to obtain assistance.

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About our Therapy What to Expect from Therapy About Online Therapy Frequently Asked Questions About our Services Meet our Therapists Services and Fees Sign Up for Services About our Products Self Help Library CDs and DVDs Bookstore About Us Email Privacy Privacy Statement Contact Us	Depression Information The Facts People who struggle with depression often report feeling as if they are in a “black hole” where there is no light and they see no way that things will ever get better. When depressed people feel very hopeless and helpless to do anything to change how they feel. They are often irritable without reason, are unable to concentrate, and experiences changes in their appetite and sleep. People with depression may have no energy, even for things they previously enjoyed doing, much less tasks which are taxing. Their hygiene may suffer and they often find themselves crying for no reason. People in a depressive episode often isolate and stop interacting with friends and family, often refusing to leave their room or their home. If you feel “down” for more than two weeks to the point that these feelings are preventing you from functioning in your daily life, you may be clinically depressed. The descent into the black hole of depression is often gradual, but sometimes sudden and often repeats itself throughout their life times. For weeks before actually hitting bottom people typically experience symptoms of depression coming on. It is important to learn to recognize the symptoms early and develop intervention strategies in order to avoid a full blown episode of depression. Some early symptoms of a depressive episode can be: changes in mood, sleep or appetite, changes in concentration and memory, changes in thinking patterns, changes in hygiene, changes in social behavior. Many people with depression do not seek help, even though modern treatments have been found to be quite successful. In the depths of a depressive episode they may feel too helpless and hopeless, mistakenly believing that things have always been this way and always will be this way, so why bother to get help? This is why it is so important to get help before getting to that point. Prevention is crucial when treating clinical depression. The symptoms of depression include but are not limited to: constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much restlessness or feeling slowed down decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt thoughts of suicide or death If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression. Serious depression may also be accompanied by psychosis. Psychosis is manifested as either hallucinations: hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling or seeing things which are not there or delusional thinking. Additional treatment is necessary if psychotic symptoms are presented. Causes of Depression It is important to differentiate between clinical depression and other forms of feeling of bad. Clinical depression has no situational cause. By contrast, if you have experienced the death of a loved one, a divorce, the end of a relationship, trauma, financial problems, or health problems, you are more probably experiencing a normal reaction to those problems. You may also have both issues occurring simultaneously. People who suffer from clinical depression also lose loved ones. It’s important to consult a professional when in doubt. Regardless of the cause of your pain, help is available. Regarding clinical depression, there can be many factors involved. Depression is not just “in your head”. It is a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters in your brain which causes physical changes in the way signals are transmitted. Since your emotions are produced by these neurochemicals and the signals which are transmitted, an emotional reaction to their imbalance is logical. Depression is often inherited and runs in families. A person’s personality and outlook may feed depressive symptoms. Always seeing that the glass is half-empty rather than half-full can exacerbate depressive symptoms and may be symptoms of Dysthymia, a form of less severe depression. Medical conditions like HIV, HCV, cancer, or any long-term illness can not only exacerbate depressive symptoms but affected by depression as well. Depression has been shown to lower immunity and make patients more sensitive to pain. Depression may also be caused by certain medications. Trauma can also cause severe feelings of depression. Substance abuse may also cause depressive symptoms as can anxiety disorders and eating disorders. Depression’s Effects on People 16% of Americans will be diagnosed with depression at some time in their life. However, the manifestation of depression is greatly influenced by gender, age, and culture. Who is affected by Depression Women are diagnosed with depression twice as often as men. Men are more likely to resist seeking treatment due to cultural norms against expressing weakness or needing help. Women typically express their depression through grief-like symptoms and apathy. Men more typically exhibit symptoms of anger and/or irritability. Women make more suicide attempts than men. Men are four times more likely to succeed at committing suicide than women, perhaps because they often use more violent means to commit suicide. Many cultures frown on seeking psychological help and being diagnosed with a psychological or mental disorder is greatly stigmatized in some cultures. In many cultures, attempts to mask or self-medicate depression by alcohol or drug use are quite common. Older white men have the highest rate of suicide in the country. The suicide rate for the elderly has dramatically risen in the past twenty years. The risk is highest when the person is divorced or widowed. Loss of friends, medical complications, loss of quality of life, and having to adjust to new living arrangements are just a few of the factors putting elderly Americans at risk. The elderly are less likely to ask for help and family members may dismiss their depressive symptoms as merely the signs of aging. Treatment of Depression Depression can be treated, but treatments are quite varied based on the symptoms and severity. People who have chronic depression must be prepared to alter their lifestyles in order to accomplish significant changes in their mood. Medications In the American culture, medication is the preferred method for treatment any form of depression. In cases of severe depression medication would absolutely be the first line of defense. Today’s antidepressants have fewer side effects and many are much faster acting than the older antidepressants. Many forms of antidepressant medications are available through a psychiatrist or a medical doctor. In our experience, there is a trend to be more aggressive in treating depression, which is good. In previous years, complaints of depression were often minimalized by doctors and a standard 20mg of Prozac administered without further follow up. Today doctors often combine antidepressants and are prescribing higher doses with a greater success in decreasing the more debilitating symptoms of depression. However, lifestyle changes are usually required in addition to medication in treating more serious forms of depression. There are several things to remember when taking antidepressant medications. Antidepressants work over time, so it is important to take them everyday, as prescribed, over a period of time sufficient to find out how well they can work. People are often reluctant to take medications, fearing they will suffer personality changes, be over sedated, or become dependent on medications. Personality changes only occur in that the symptoms which are blunting the expression of a person’s personality are lifted. Apathy, fatigue, crying, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are decreased allowing a person to more fully experience life. Some antidepressants can be sedating for people struggling with insomnia or anxiety in addition to their depression. Others can be more energizing. Sexual side effects may occur depending on which antidepressant is prescribed. Other people have a false belief that antidepressants will make them happy all of the time. Antidepressants do not do this. They allow natural happiness in life to return, but life is not always happy and people taking antidepressants will experience the normal highs and lows of any life. It is important to discuss concerns with the treating physician so that fears can be addressed and replaced with facts. Once the symptoms have lifted, it is important to keep taking antidepressants as prescribed in order to maintain the alleviation of symptoms and avoid sliding back into the “black hole”. Alternative Treatments Counseling or psychotherapy has been found to be very effective in treating Depression. People who suffer from mild depression may benefit from therapy alone, while people with more severe depression may require medication and therapy. Research has shown that merely talking to someone else about your problems can lessen your symptoms significantly. A therapist can often help you identify negative thinking which exacerbates depression. They can also help you develop lifestyle strategies which will help reduce symptoms of depression and put some of the joy of life back into yours. Self Care Medication and psychotherapy can help with symptoms of depression, but there are things which you have to do for yourself in order to feel better. However, each person experiences depression in their own way and it is best to talk to a professional to develop an indivualized plan to address your specific symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression and would like to talk to a counselor please see our Services and Fees page or our Sign Up page in order to obtain assistance.
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