DEPRESSION

What family and friends need to know

*Depression - more than just a blue mood*

Everyone gets sad sometimes - a brief blue mood, disappointments, grief after losing someone you love. Depression is not a mere case of the blues. It is a serious medical illness that requires treatment, just like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.
There are several signs and symptoms that help a doctor know if a person has depression. If he/she has had at least 5 of the following symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day for MORE than 2 weeks, depression my be present:

• Feelings of sadness, depressed mood, and/or irritability
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, such as hobbies or spending time with family/friends
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Changes in sleep pattern - they sleep too much or cannot sleep at all
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
• Constant fatigue or loss of energy
• Restlessness or decreased activity
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

*What depression is NOT*

Depression isn't something to be ashamed of, nor is it a character flaw or a sign of a weak personality. No one with depression can just "snap out of it." You wouldn't ask someone to "snap out of" diabetes or some other illness, you cannot expect it of a person with depression.

*What causes depression?*

Depression can be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are natural substances that allows brain cells to communicate with one another. Depression can also be caused by stress, medication, or other medical illnesses. Certain personality traits and family history can also contribute to depression. No matter what caused the depression, it can be treated.

*Can anyone get depressed?*

According to the National Institue of Mental Health, more than 17 million Americans develop depression each year - that's one out of every 17 people. Chances are, at some point in your life, you or someone you know will become depressed. And depression doesn't discriminate - both men and women can be affected.

*Help is Available*

The good news is that more than 80% of people with depression improve with proper treatment. There are 2 principal treatments for depression - counseling, also called psychotherapy, and medication. For some, either treatment may be enough. For others, the most effective treatment is a combination of the two.

Counseling, or Psycotherapy is often called "talk" therapy and comes in many forms. Basically, therapy is aimed at helping the person develop new ways to cope with problems and to indentify and understand more about depression and how to avoid it in the future. The process itself may take some time before it is effective.

Antidepressant medication works by affecting the brain chemistry. These drugs may take several weeks to be effective, but they work and are very safe. There are 3 groups of medication: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitiors (SSRIs), tricyclics (TCAs), and MAO inhibitors. SSRIs are the newest class of medication and work to help increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which can relieve the symptoms of depression.

*As a family member or a loved one, what can you do?*

You play an important role in helping your loved one get through this difficult period in his/her life. There are many ways to help:

• Remind your loved one to keep his/her doctor's appointments and take prescribed medication.
  Depressed persons are often tempted to stop their medication as soon as they begin to feel better. It is very important for them to keep taking their medication as directed. This will help in a relapse of the depression, or the return of the symptoms.

• Listen and provide support.
  Be patient, understanding, and encouraging. Don't dismiss the depressed person's negative feelings - point out realities and offer hope instead.

• Suicide threats are to be taken seriously.
  Keep in mind that it is not true, as many people believe, that a person who talks about suicide will not attempt it. Those who attempt suicide often threaten to do so as a way of asking for help. So, if your loved one seems in danger of suicide, be supportive and call their doctor.

• Take care of the "little things."
  A depressed person may need help in just keeping up with tasks like doing the laundry or caring for a pet. You may offer to help until the person is feeling better.

• Remember that depression is a medical condition.
  Don't accuse the depressed person of faking illness or laziness. Try to encourage your loved one to develop healthy habits by sleeping at regular times, eating balanced, nutritious meals, and taking a daily walk or some form of excercise. Remember, with treatment, most depressed people DO get better.

• Make suggestions
  Urge your loved one to postpone major life decisions, such as changing jobs, getting married or divorced, or moving until his/her depression has lifted.

• Take care of yourself
  You may find yourself feeling sad, angry, frustrated, or helpless when caring for a depressed person. Talking with a friend or counselor can help you deal with those feelings. Doing something nice for yourself while taking care of a loved one can also help.

*One last thing to remember*

Depression is a very treatable illness and your loved one can get better with appropriate medical treatment, time and support from you.

For more information about depression, including educational brochures and videos, please contact the following organizations:

• National Institute of Mental Health
  Room 7C-02
  5600 Fishers Lane
  Rockville, MD 20857
  1-800-421-4211

• National Mental Health Association
  1021 Prince St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314-2917
  1-800-969-NMHA

• National Depressive and Manic Depressive Assoc.
  730 Franklin, Suite 501
  Chicago, IL 60601
  1-800-826-3632