| Depression is an illness and just as real as | | | | wishes they would. |
| diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or cancer. | | | | Treatment |
| Depression in many views is an emotional | | | | Treatment choice will depend on the outcome of |
| disorder, which is in part caused by chemical | | | | an initial evaluation. Treatment is essential and |
| imbalances in the brain. According to several | | | | support from doctors, therapy groups and friends |
| medical studies depression is frequently either | | | | and family, a necessity. Many people diagnosed |
| missed completely or misdiagnosed. Depression is | | | | with depression begin a course of treatment with |
| very common; it affects an estimated 19 million | | | | pharmaceuticals such as anti-depressants, or even |
| American adults every year. It is a state of mind | | | | anti-psychotics in some cases. There are lifestyle |
| that must be treated quickly and effectively to | | | | choices such as eating healthy foods and |
| be controlled. | | | | exercising regularly that people living with |
| Depression | | | | depression can incorporate into their treatment |
| Depression is one of the clearest signs that there | | | | regimens to help them start and stay on the road |
| is something wrong with our psycho-emotional | | | | to recovery. |
| system. It involves physical, emotional and mental | | | | Your Response to Depression |
| states of a person suffering from the condition. It | | | | Choose three chores to do when you are |
| is an illness with very real symptoms and it is a | | | | depressed. Often you can move from these |
| physically and socially debilitating condition. But, | | | | chores or activities directly into your regular |
| fortunately a large number of treatment regimens | | | | non-depressed routine. Don't do the habitual things |
| are available to treat the condition. | | | | that you always do when you're depressed. The |
| Symptoms | | | | thoughts that run over and over in your mind |
| Depression is a form of emotional illness that | | | | during a depressive episode (known as rumination) |
| requires professional intervention in the form of | | | | can be reduced in intensity by talking about the |
| counseling, therapy or even drug treatment. The | | | | thoughts with another person. Speak to someone |
| first step on the road to recovery is to recognize | | | | you know and trust. |
| the symptoms of depression. There are different | | | | Interventions |
| forms of clinical depression with different | | | | There are a large number of anti-depressant |
| combinations of symptoms. Sleep disturbances | | | | medications available and their effectiveness |
| such as insomnia, oversleeping, and waking much | | | | depends largely on the type of depression being |
| earlier than usual are common. Changes in | | | | treated and the inclusion of therapy with a mental |
| appetite such as eating much more or much less | | | | health practitioner. Mild exercise, listening to |
| food than usual is very common. Decreased | | | | soothing music, attending to the needs of a pet all |
| energy, fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, | | | | can contribute to alleviating symptoms. Social |
| digestive problems or other physical symptoms | | | | interventions to help with isolation and loneliness |
| that are not explained by other physical conditions | | | | such as group outings, regular visits from |
| or do not respond to physical treatments | | | | concerned people, participation in a support group |
| frequently can be explained through the diagnosis | | | | have been reported to be very helpful. Maintaining |
| of depression. The number, severity and duration | | | | a healthy diet enhanced by a multivitamin and |
| of symptoms may vary. Major Depression is a | | | | exercise can go a long way to helping reduce the |
| combination of symptoms as described above | | | | intensity of symptoms of depression. |
| that can be quite emotionally painful if symptoms | | | | Please be aware that the information provided |
| are intense and of long duration. Dysthymia is a | | | | here is for general information only and is not |
| more moderate and less debilitating form of | | | | intended to replace the advice of your health-care |
| depression. Unlike normal stress and sadness, the | | | | provider with whom you should consult in the |
| symptoms of clinical depression persist and do not | | | | event of depressive symptoms. |
| go away no matter how much the individual | | | | |