|
|
|
Depression
MDAdvice.com
Home > Health Topics
> Informative Material
>
Depression: Effective Treatments Are Available
Depressive Illnesses Are Serious but Treatable
Disorders
-- Depressive illnesses are more than temporary "blue" moods or
periods of grief after a loss.
-- Symptoms of depression affect thoughts, feelings, body, and
behaviors.
-- Without treatment, the symptoms can last for months, years, or a
lifetime.
Depressive Illnesses Come in Various Forms
-- Some depressive episodes occur suddenly for no apparent reason.
-- Some are triggered by a stressful experience.
-- Some people have one episode in a lifetime; others, recurrent
episodes.
-- Some people's symptoms are so severe they are unable to function as
usual.
-- Others have ongoing, chronic symptoms that do not interfere with
functioning, but keep them from feeling really well.
-- Some people have bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive
illness). They experience cycles of terrible "lows" and inappropriate
"highs."
Many Do Not Recognize Their Illness
Nearly two-thirds of depressed people do not get appropriate treatment
because their symptoms:
-- Are not recognized.
-- Are blamed on personal weakness.
-- Are so disabling that people cannot reach out for help.
-- Are misdiagnosed and wrongly treated.
Symptoms of Depression Can Include:
-- Persistent sad or "empty" mood
-- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
-- Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
-- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping)
-- Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
-- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
-- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
-- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
-- Irritability
-- Excessive crying
-- Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
Symptoms of Mania Can Include:
-- Excessively "high" mood
-- Irritability
-- Decreased need for sleep
-- Increased energy and activity
-- Increased talking, moving, and sexual activity
-- Racing thoughts
-- Disturbed ability to make decisions
-- Grandiose notions
-- Being easily distracted
In The Workplace, Depression Often May Be Recognized As
-- Decreased productivity
-- Morale problems
-- Lack of cooperation
-- Safety problems, accidents
-- Absenteeism
-- Frequent complaints of being tired all the time
-- Complaints of unexplained aches and pains
-- Alcohol and drug abuse
Over 15 Million Americans Suffer From Depressive Illnesses
Depressive illnesses take a staggering toll:
-- They cause great pain to millions of people.
-- The lives of families and friends are affected, often seriously
disrupted.
-- They hurt the economy, costing an estimated $30 billion in 1990.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
A thorough diagnosis is needed if five or more of the symptoms of depression
or mania persist for more than two weeks, or are interfering with work or
family life. A good diagnosis involves a complete physical checkup and family
history of health problems.
Most People Can Be Helped Quickly
With available treatment, 80 percent of the people with serious
depression--even those with the most severe forms--can improve significantly.
Symptoms can be relieved, usually in a matter of weeks.
-- There are effective medications and psychological treatments that
often are used in combination. In severe depression, medication is
usually required.
-- A number of short-term talk therapies to treat clinical depression have
been developed in recent years.
-- Several types of medications are available, none of them
habit-forming. People with severe depression respond more rapidly and
more consistently to medication. Those with recurring depression,
including bipolar disorder, may need to stay on medication to prevent or
lessen further episodes.
-- Many patients need psychotherapy (talk therapy) to deal with the
psychological or interpersonal problems often associated with their
illness.
-- Other biological treatments can be helpful. For example,
electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) may be a very effective treatment for
the most severe depressions. Research is also being done on the use of
light for the treatment of depression.
-- Early intervention may lessen severity of symptoms and shorten the
episode.
Costs of Depression Can be Reduced
When diagnosed early in the course of the illness, depressed people
usually can be treated on an outpatient basis and improve productivity,
avoid lost work time, and reduce high costs for:
-- Prolonged treatment,
-- Hospitalization,
-- Treatment of other physical and mental disorders resulting from
untreated depression.
Help Can be Received From:
-- Physicians
-- Mental health specialists
-- Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
-- Health maintenance organizations
-- Community mental health centers
-- Hospital departments of psychiatry or outpatient psychiatric clinics
-- University- or medical school-affiliated programs
-- State hospital outpatient clinics
-- Family service/social agencies
-- Private clinics and facilities
-- Support and self-help groups
Depressed Persons May Need Help to Get Help
The very nature of depressive illnesses can interfere with a person's ability or
wish to get help. Depression saps energy and self-esteem and makes a person
feel tired, worthless, helpless, and hopeless.
Therefore,
-- Seriously depressed people need encouragement from family and
friends to seek treatment to ease their pain.
-- Some people need even more help, becoming so depressed, they
must be taken for treatment.
-- Don't ignore suicidal thoughts, words or acts. Seek professional help
immediately.
Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment (D/ART) Program
"Depression--Effective Treatments Are Available" was developed for the
DEPRESSION Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment (D/ART) program.
D/ART is a professional and public education program sponsored by NIMH in
collaboration with private organizations and citizens. D/ART's goals include the
alleviation of symptoms through effective treatment for the millions of
Americans who suffer from depressive disorders each year. The program is
based on more than 40 years of research on the diagnosis and treatment of
depressive disorders. For more information about the D/ART program and
program materials, write: D/ART, NIMH, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10C-03,
Rockville, MD 20857.
For additional free brochures (some also available in Spanish) call:
1-800-421-4211
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental Health
NIH Publication No. 93-3590
Printed 1993
|
