Depression can occur at any age and occurs in both men and women. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression can be categorized into three general forms.
• Major depression. In a major depression, the symptoms interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. This is depression can be disabling and may occur only once in a lifetime, but it is common for it to occur several times.
• Dysthymia. This is a less severe type of depression. Its symptoms go on for a long time. The symptoms do not prevent a person from carrying on daily activities, but they do interfere with a person functioning well and feeling good.
• Bipolar Depression. This is also called manic-depressive illness. In this form, a person cycles through mood changes varying from severe highs to deep depressions.
Signs of depression
An adult who's depressed will have at least three or more of these symptoms nearly every day, all day (or much of the day), for at least two weeks (symptoms in children may be different):
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities once enjoyed, feeling “empty”.
• Feeling sad, blue, hopeless or down in the dumps.
• Fatigue and lack of energy.
• Sleep problems, including waking up early in the morning, or sleeping too much.
• Change in eating habits that result in weight loss or gain.
• Being anxious, pessimistic or worried.
• Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt.
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain.
Symptoms in children may include: pretending to be sick, refusing to go to school, clinging to a parent, worrying that the parent may die, sulking, getting into trouble at school, being negative, grouchy, and feeling misunderstood. It may be difficult to tell if these symptoms are a temporary phase or depression. Take your child to his or her pediatrician, if you, a teacher, or someone else who knows the child well are concerned.
Getting help
Up to 80 percent of depressed people can be treated successfully. Most people receiving treatment for depression begin to feel better within six weeks. Recognizing that you could be depressed is the first step toward feeling better. Once you decide to get help, see your doctor to determine if there are health or medication-related reasons for your symptoms. After an exam, your doctor may refer you to a mental-health specialist for further treatment. The usual treatment involves an antidepressant medication. The medication changes the chemical balance in the brain, which helps improve mood, sleep, appetite and concentration. Psychotherapy or counseling also may be useful, to help you deal with major life changes, emotions, perceptions and personal problems. If prescription medications are part of your treatment, take them as prescribed and don't stop taking them without consulting your doctor.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises health care providers, patients, families and caregivers of adults and children that they should closely monitor all patients beginning therapy with antidepressants and when doses are either increased or decreased, for worsening depression and suicidal thinking.
Self-help ideas
Try these self-help steps recommended by NIMH in addition to taking medication or going to counseling:
- Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately.
- Postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted
- Exercise regularly. Walking, bicycling, jogging, dancing and doing other aerobic exercise can improve your mood.
- Don't abuse substances. Alcohol and illegal drugs are closely linked to depression. Their use can contribute to or worsen your condition.
- Talk to someone. Talking with a friend or family member about events and situations that are causing you stress can help you gain perspective.
• Join a support group. Talking to people can be very useful. Many hospitals and community mental-health centers sponsor self-help support groups. For more information, visit the National Foundation for Depressive Illness Inc. Web site at http://www.depression.org.
