Depression

What is depression?
When doctors talk about depression, they mean the medical illness called major depression. Someone with major depression has symptoms like those listed in the box below nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks or longer.If you're depressed, you may also have headaches, other aches and pains, digestive problems and problems with sex. An older person with depression may feel confused or have trouble understanding simple requests.

Symptoms of depression
Feeling sad, hopeless and having frequent crying spells
Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (including sex)
Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
Thinking about death or suicide
Sleeping too much, or having problems sleeping
Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss or gain
Feeling very tired all the time
Having trouble paying attention and making decisions
Having aches and pains that don't get better with treatment
Feeling restless, irritated and easily annoyed

What causes depression?
Depression seems to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another. Depression also seems to be hereditary (to run in families).Depression can be linked to stressful events in your life, such as the death of someone you love, a divorce or loss of you a job. Taking certain medicines, abusing drugs or alcohol or having other illnesses can also lead to depression. Depression isn't caused by personal weakness, laziness or lack of willpower.

How is depression diagnosed?
If you're having symptoms of depression, be sure to tell your doctor so you can get help. Don't expect your doctor to be able to guess that you're depressed just by looking at you. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner the depression will lift.Once you tell your doctor how you're feeling, he or she may ask you some questions about your symptoms, about your health and about your family history of health problems. Your doctor may also give you a physical exam and do some tests.

How is depression treated?
Depression can be treated with medicines, with counseling or with both.

What about medicines?
Many medicines can be used to treat depression. These medicines are called antidepressants. They correct the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression.Antidepressants work differently for different people. They also have different side effects. So, even if one medicine bothers you or doesn't work for you, another may help. You may notice improvement as soon as 1 week after you start taking the medicine. But you probably won't see the full effects for about 8 to 12 weeks. You may have side effects at first but they tend to decrease after a couple of weeks.

How long will I need medicine?
How long you'll need to take the medicine depends on your depression. Your doctor may want you to take medicine for 4 to 6 months or longer. You need to take the medicine long enough to reduce the chance that the depression will come back. Talk with your doctor about any questions you have about your medicine

What is psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, you talk with your family doctor, a psychiatrist or a therapist about things that are going on in your life. The focus may be on your thoughts and beliefs or on your relationships. Or the focus may be on your behavior, how it's affecting you and what you can do differently. Psychotherapy often lasts for a limited time, such as 8 to 20 visits

Will I need to go to the hospital?
Depression can usually be treated through visits to your doctor. Treatment in the hospital may be needed if you have other medical conditions that could affect your treatment or if you're at high risk of suicide.

How long will the depression last?
This depends on how soon you get help. Left untreated, depression can last for weeks, months or even years. The main risk in not getting treatment is suicide. Treatment can help depression lift in 8 to 12 weeks, or less.

Getting through depression
Pace yourself. Don't expect to do everything you normally can. Set a realistic schedule.
Don't believe negative thoughts you may have, such as blaming yourself or expecting to fail. This thinking is part of depression. These thoughts will go away as your depression lifts.
Get involved in activities that make you feel good or feel like you've achieved something.
Avoid making big life decisions while you are depressed. If you must make a big decision, ask someone you trust to help you.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. Both make depression worse. Both can cause dangerous side effects with your antidepressants.
Physical activity seems to cause a chemical reaction in the body that may improve your mood. Exercising 4 to 6 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time is a good goal. But even less activity can be helpful.
Try not to get discouraged. It will take time for your depression to lift fully.

Suicide
People who have depression sometimes think about suicide. This thinking is part of the depression. If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, tell your doctor, your friends, your family or call your local suicide hot line, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.Get help right away. The good news is that there are people who can help you, and depression can be treated.

Reasons to get help for depression
Early treatment helps keep depression from getting worse or lasting a long time.
Thoughts of suicide are common in people with depression. The risk of suicide is higher if you don't get treatment for your depression. When depression is successfully treated, the thoughts of suicide will go away.
Treatment can help you return to your "normal" self, enjoying life.
Treatment can help prevent depression from coming back.