DEPRESSION: Sad Days

Depression is an illness that affects the way people think, feel and behave. It presents itself as persistent sadness and loss of interest in normal activities and lasts about two weeks or longer. This illness is believed to be a chemical imbalance of the brain. The cause of depression is unclear, although genetics may help to explain why some people become depressed.

Symptoms of Depression

• Person experiences bad feelings including guilt, worthlessness, and/or hopelessness
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Person feels extremely tired
• Person experiences changes in sleeping and eating patterns
• Person can experience physical symptoms such as headaches or an upset stomach

Tidbits about Depression

• Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in US
• Estimated 19 million people have this disorder in the United States
• 1 in 5 people will develop depression at some time in their lives
• Less than ½ of the people with depression will seek or receive treatment for it
• This disorder affects twice as many women as men
• This imbalance is 4 times more common in people age 65 and over

Myths and Truths about Depression

• _{MYTH: Depression is a sign of weakness.}
• _{MYTH: Depression is a sign of poor character.}
• _{MYTH: The depressed person has an inability to cope with life.}
• _{TRUTH: Depression is not normal sadness or grief that accompanies life events.}
• _{TRUTH: Not just a mental disorder, affects the entire body.}
• _{TRUTH: Depressed people are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack than non-depressed people.}
• _{TRUTH: Increased risk for actions that may cause further health problems, ie, smoking, drug, alcohol abuse.}
• _{TRUTH: Depression is the leading cause of suicide.}

 

Interactive Treatment Ideas for Depression

Healthcare Providers can provide many of the tools used to combat depression, such as medication, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy passes electrical current through the brain after anesthesia is administered. This therapy is used for people who do not respond to other treatment, or those in immediate danger of suicide.

There are simple tools that can be used at home, though, so family and friends are not powerless:

• Regular physical activity helps the victim to maintain strength, even if it is simple, range of motion exercises. Daily living activities also count, such as washing, dressing, etc.

• When communicating, use shorter, clear sentences, for better understanding. Try not to have the person make unnecessary decisions until the condition improves.

• Often the person who is depressed tends to isolate themselves from social activities, so take extra time to interact with this person.

• Pointing out the positive points of any situation may help the person feel better; often these people have a negative point of view.

• Helping with self-esteem and encouragement can help the person feel better. Spending time with the person, talking about things the person feels good about- perhaps a job or children is beneficial for self esteem. Listen when this person wants to talk.