Depression

In any given 1-year period, 9.5% of the population - about 18.8 million American adults - suffer from a depressive illness. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about his or herself, and the way one thinks about things. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years. Even though the great majority of people with a depressive illness can be helped, most do not seek treatment. Serious depression can cause pain and suffering not only to those who have the illness, but to those who care about them. In addition to human suffering, economic losses are staggering and include the loss of time and productivity, personnel replacement, medical care, and loss of life - not only to affected individuals - but to their loved ones

Depressive disorders come in different forms. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar Disorder.

Major Depression

Major Depression involves a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities, typically lasting 2 weeks or more. Major Depression may occur only once in a lifetime, but more commonly occurs several times throughout a lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood

• Changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping more or less than what is normal)

• Changes in eating patterns (eating more or less than what is normal)

• Loss of interest in things that were once enjoyable

• Feelings of hopelessness and guilt

• Lack of energy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions

• Psychomotor retardation (lethargy, moving slowly)

• Suicidal ideation (thoughts of death or suicide)

• Decrease in sex drive

• Restlessness or irritability

• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a less severe form of depression that involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable a person, but keeps one from functioning well or feeling good. Many people with Dysthymia also experience Major Depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Bipolar Disorder

Not nearly as common as other types of depression, Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic-depression) is characterized by cycles of severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms previously discussed under Major Depression. When manic, a person may be overactive, over-talkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment.

Behaviors of a person in a manic state may include:

• Feeling unusual irritability

• A decreased need for sleep

• Having racing thoughts

• Increase in sexual desire or increased energy

• Having inappropriate social behavior

• Feeling abnormally or excessively elated, full of grand notions that range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees

Left untreated, mania can worsen to a psychotic state.

Some types of depression run in families, which seems to be the case with bipolar disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develops bipolar disorder have discovered that those with the illness have a somewhat different genetic makeup that causes vulnerability to the illness.

Major depression has also been found in generations in some families, but it can also occur in individuals with no family history of depression. Whether or not it's inherited, major depressive disorder is often associated with changes in brain structures or brain function.

Recently, researchers have discovered that physical changes can be accompanied by mental changes. Medical illness such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depression, causing the person to become apathetic and unwilling to care for his or her physical needs. Additionally, a relationship that is stressed or ended, financial problems, or any unwelcome or undesired change in life patterns may precipitate depression, especially in more vulnerable individuals.

For those feeling depressed, it is important to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Tips for Dealing with Depression:

• Set realistic goals

• Break large tasks into smaller ones

• Set some priorities and do the best one can

• Try to be with other people and confide in someone

• Participate in activities that may make him or her feel better

• Do mild exercise

• Participate in social activities

• Expect mood to improve gradually, not immediately

• Postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted

• Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thinking as the depression responds to treatment

• Let family and friends help

To find options for getting help, refer to the Resources page.