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 $30.4 billion in 1990.
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.
Symptoms of Depression:
Persistent sadness; 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.
Depression with Other Illnesses:
Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, though it is frequently unrecognized and untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since depression is usually treatable, even when it co-occurs with other disorders. Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurrence of depression with another illness should discuss these issues with the physician. 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 psychotherapies (talk therapies), 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 to deal with the psychological or interpersonal problems often associated with their illness. Other biological treatments can be helpful. For example, electro-convulsive treatment (ECT) is a safe and often effective treatment for the most severe depressions.
Research also supports the use of light for the treatment of some depression. Early intervention may lessen severity of symptoms and shorten the episode. Individuals respond differently to treatment.
Individuals respond differently to treatment. If after several weeks symptoms have not improved, the treatment should be re-evaluated.
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 $30.4 billion in 1990.
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.
Symptoms of Depression:
Persistent sadness; 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.
Depression with Other Illnesses:
Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, though it is frequently unrecognized and untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since depression is usually treatable, even when it co-occurs with other disorders. Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurrence of depression with another illness should discuss these issues with the physician. 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 psychotherapies (talk therapies), 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 to deal with the psychological or interpersonal problems often associated with their illness. Other biological treatments can be helpful. For example, electro-convulsive treatment (ECT) is a safe and often effective treatment for the most severe depressions.
Research also supports the use of light for the treatment of some depression. Early intervention may lessen severity of symptoms and shorten the episode. Individuals respond differently to treatment.
Individuals respond differently to treatment. If after several weeks symptoms have not improved, the treatment should be re-evaluated.
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