Depression: What You Need to Know |
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17 million Americans suffer from depression during any one-year period. Depression is a real illness and carries with it a high cost in terms of personal struggle, relationship problems and family suffering.
The good news? Depression is highly treatable. Mental health experts say that up to 90% of those with serious depression can be treated successfully, but that it is imperative they seek care from a healthcare professional who has training and experience in helping people recover from depression.
Tragically, about two-thirds of those suffering from depression never seek treatment, often because they are totally unfamiliar with the condition and its symptoms. To learn more about depression, read the information below. If you think that you or a family member may be suffering from depression, seek professional help. The sooner you get help, the sooner you or your loved one can begin feeling better.
Everyone gets the "blues" from time to time. Feeling sad is a normal, temporary reaction to life's struggles and setbacks. But when you are feeling "down" for more than a few weeks, or you have difficulty functioning in your daily life, you may be suffering from depression.
Depression is a serious medical disorder just like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are medical disorders. It is characterized by prolonged, deep feelings of sadness, emptiness, despair or hopelessness. However, men often mask their depressed feelings and turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed, or become discouraged, irritable or angry.
The symptoms of depression are highly recognizable – both to those affected and to those closest to them – once individuals know what to look for. If you experience several or more of the symptoms below for longer than two weeks, or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, you may be suffering from depression and should seek professional help. The standard symptoms of depression include:
Note: Professional help should be sought immediately if a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Mental health experts say that while both women and men can develop the standard symptoms of depression, men often experience depression differently than women and may have different ways of coping. Frequently, male depression first shows up in physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders or sexual dysfunction.
In addition to the standard symptoms of depression listed above, other common symptoms of depression in men can include:
Don't believe the myth that you should be able to "handle" depression on your own. Like any other medical condition, depression is an illness that should be treated by a mental health professional or physician. People with depression cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms often get worse, and can last for weeks, months or years.
There are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medications and alternative treatments. An appropriate evaluation and diagnosis must precede any effective treatment. If you suspect that you or a family member may be suffering from depression, follow these guidelines:
1. See your regular physician. The first step is to see your regular physician and explain the symptoms you have been experiencing. Sometimes an actual physical illness can cause depression-like symptoms, so that is why it is best to see your doctor first.
2. Seek the care of a licensed mental health professional. See a licensed mental health professional – with training and experience in helping people recover from depression – for further evaluation and treatment. Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers. Psychiatrists can prescribe antidepressant drugs because they are physicians. Mental health professionals, who are not physicians, can provide therapy and often work with psychiatrists and family physicians to ensure that their patients receive the medications they may need.
3. Follow your treatment plan. Up to 90% of people with serious depression can be treated successfully with "talk" therapy, antidepressant medications, alternative treatments, or a combination of these. Successful treatment removes all of the symptoms of depression and returns you to your normal life.
A word about therapy: Effective treatment for depression often includes some form of therapy. A helpful approach to therapy involves viewing your therapist as your "coach." A skilled therapist can help you:
A word about antidepressant medications: Medication can help relieve the symptoms of depression in some people, but they aren't a cure and they come with drawbacks of their own. Learning the facts about antidepressants and weighing the benefits against the risks can help you make an informed decision about whether medication is right for you.
The support and involvement of family and friends can play a crucial role in helping someone who is depressed. Follow these guidelines to help a family member or friend:
If you suspect that you or a family member may be suffering from depression, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help you with confidential counseling, referrals or information. EAP counselors are specially trained to help people get the right kind of help for depression. If you need help, why not call a professional EAP counselor today? We're here to help you.
