Depression
A DEPRESSION PRIMER
Prepared by
Pamela Brewer, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW-C
Psychotherapist
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is one of the most common AND most treatable disorders affecting Americans today. There are many kinds of depression that affect people in different ways, however, in general a persistent feeling of sadness that happens over a period of time and has effects on emotional, social, psychological, physical, mental aspect of one’s life. Often, the feeling can not be connected with a specific event that would explain the sadness or can be connected to a specific event, but the "sadness" lasts longer than would be anticipated (e.g. A person who continues to actively mourn the loss of a ten year ago relationship; the person who continually angers at the same intensity - at the missed job opportunity 2 years ago, etc.)
WHO "GETS" DEPRESSION
While statistics suggest that women are more likely to experience depression than men are, everyone is susceptible to depression – this includes children, adolescents, teens, adults, and older adults.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
While one does not have to experience all of the below symptoms in order to be diagnoses with depression - common symptoms across ages include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness.
- Loss of interest in usual activities.
- Feeling the need to "hide" from others.
- Feelings of worthlessness.
- Feelings of guilt.
- Changes in eating habits.
- Changes in sleeping habits.
- Difficulties with concentration.
- Difficulties with decision-making.
- Difficulties with thinking.
- Difficulties with memory.
- Changes in sexual habits.
- Chronic anxiety.
- Suicide attempts.
- Homicide attempts.
- Change in physical energy.
- Irritable, restless.
- Chronic physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment.
- Thoughts of suicide/suicidal gestures.
CHILDREN/TEENS: (in addition to the above)
- Unexplained anger
- Emotionally unresponsive
- Social withdrawal
- Cutting classes/ missed school.
- Poor school performance
- Drug/alcohol use
- Running away
- Thoughts of suicide/Suicidal gestures
OLDER ADULTS: (+ the above)
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Social withdrawal
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping difficulties
- Thoughts of suicide/suicidal gestures.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF DEPRESSION IS SUSPECTED:
- Get an evaluation from a mental health professional.
- Follow the treatment regimen prescribed.
- Let treating professional know how you are feeling/what’s working – what is not.
REMINDERS:
- If the sadness/depression is situation specific and goes away within a few days to two weeks – time, connecting with supportive friends/family, self-help books may all be useful and may be all that is needed.
- If the feelings exceed two weeks in duration – get an evaluation. If you have suicidal thoughts, seek an evaluation immediately.
- People do not choose to be depressed. It is not someone’s "fault" if he/she is depressed.
- The worst advice to give is "snap out of it" or "just get over it"! If that were possible, it would have already been done!
- There are biological, chemical, environmental and social factors that can lead to depression.
- DEPRESSION IS VERY, VERY TREATABLE.
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE
