Depression: Don't Let the "Blues" Get You Down
by Larry Denton
In any given 1-year period, approximately 10% of the
Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and
suffering, not only to those who have the disorder, but to those who care about
them. Serious, untreated depression can destroy family life as well as the life
of the ill person.
Sure, everyone gets sad or a little blue now and then. But if you rarely feel
joy, happiness, or excitement you may have a more serious problem. Doctors call
this prolonged sadness "clinical depression." A depressive disorder
is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It may affect the way
a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one
thinks about others. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that
can be wished or willed away. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks,
months, or even an entire lifetime. Appropriate treatment, however, can help
most people who suffer from depression.
Depressive disorders come in many different forms, just as the case with other
illnesses such as cancer. The three most common types are Major Depression,
dysthymia and bipolar disorder. Major Depression is marked by a combination of
symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy
activities which were once pleasurable. A disabling episode of depression of
this type may occur only once in a lifetime, but more commonly returns several
times.
Dysthymia, a less severe type of depression, involves long-term, chronic
symptoms that do not disable the sufferer, but keep one from functioning
properly and feeling good.
Another type of depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive
illness), is not nearly as common as the other forms of depression. It is
characterized by severe cycling mood swings: severe highs (mania) and
depth-plunging lows (depression).
When you're manic: you feel high as a kite...you're on top of the world;
thoughts go racing through your head; you're a non-stop party; you do wild and
risky things (with driving, money, sex, drugs, etc); you are so up you don't
even need sleep. However, this mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic
state and could become a life-threatening illness.
When you're depressed: you cry a lot and it doesn't go away; you feel guilty
for no reason; life seems meaningless and empty; it's hard to make up your
mind; you feel worthless; you forget lots of things and it's hard to
concentrate; you feel restless and tired most of the time; you think about
death or feel like you're dying.
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every one of these symptoms. And the
severity of the symptoms can vary with the individual and over a period of
time. Some of the more common symptoms include: an "empty" feeling
(ongoing sadness), lack of energy, pessimism, difficulty in concentration and
decision making, insomnia, appetite loss or overeating, being irritable, crying
too often or too much, feeling worthless or hopeless, and thoughts of death or
suicide.
Having these feelings doesn't mean that a person is a failure...it means they
are ill and in need of treatment. There are a number of medical treatments now
available and they do work--usually within a matter of weeks. There is no
single cause of depression, but remember, it is a real medical illness and it
IS treatable.
Most people with depression can be helped with psychotherapy, medicine or a
combination of the two. Psychotherapy means talking about your feelings with a
trained professional who can help you change the relationships, thoughts, or
behaviors that contribute to depression.
Medication has recently been developed that effectively treats severe and
disabling depression. Anti-depressant medications are not "uppers"
and are not addictive. Sometimes, however, several types may have to be tried
before you and your doctor find the one that works best. As with most medical
problems, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution for depression.
The most important thing to remember--you are not alone! When problems seem too
big and you're feeling low for too long, you CAN find help, it is affordable,
and you CAN get better.
About the Author
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson
High in
