Depression is such a biggie. Often when people have it for the first time they have no idea they are going through a depression. It often takes a visit to a doctor to wake someone up to the fact they are going through a depression. First and foremost, clinical or major depression is growing at an incredible rate.
People of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities suffer from major depression, with a few exceptions.
Up to 20% of people experience symptoms of depression.
10 times more people suffer from major depression now than in 1945.
The average age of first onset of major depression is 25-29
Major depression is the No.1 psychological disorder in the western world. It is growing in all age groups, in virtually every community, and the growth is seen most in the young, especially teens. At the rate of increase, it will be the 2nd most disabling condition in the world by 2020, behind heart disease.
The escalation in the problem, as well as the facts relating to recurring episodes of depression show that while the first line treatment of depression by antidepressants may sometimes control the symptoms, it usually does little to give sufferers depression-free lives.
More than ever, we need to look at alternatives to drugs that will equip us to deal effectively with the triggers that allow depression to take hold again and again. This is where drug treatments fail. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression there is. CBT looks into the thoughts we have and how they affect how we feel and behave. It is a very simple yet effective method of treatment Depression is not something that needs to be endured or suffered and a life without depression is very possible once the triggers are identified and our thoughts are looked at.
People experiencing depression will have most or all of these symptoms:
- feeling in a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- a diminished interest in most activities, nearly all of the time
- change in weight (gain or loss) when not dieting
- increased or decreased appetite on most days
- insomnia
- fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- feelings of worthlessness and/or excessive, inappropriate guilt
- difficulty in concentrating
- thoughts of death or suicide
(adapted from DSM-IV-TR)
These symptoms would be experienced over at least a 2 week period, but it will often be far longer before the person with depression feels ready to ask for help. Many people suffer from depression. Far more then most of us realise. 1 out of 4 of us is going through one at any one time. Often people try to mask it by drinking alcohol, taking sleeping pills, watching alot of TV, playing endless amounts of games, computer obsessions, gambling. Depression is a hugh problem and it is still growing. It is advisable to go and seek help for it, your doctor, counselling organisations. Depression affects our performance, our work, decision making abilities and even our choice of partner. It seeps everywhere. If necessary take medication and see a therapist and learn techniques to help you learn to manage it and to prevent relapse prevention in the future. There really is a bright future ahead.
Meanwhile some steps (and not necessarily in order) to take are;
– Exercise is important, at the minimum make yourself go out for a walk even if you do not feel like it.
– Chat with someone daily. Keep up communication with others. They don’t call it the ‘black dog’ for nothing. Your moods can only get darker if you hide yourself away.
– Make sure you keep eating healthy foods and drink plenty of water. Alcohol is a no-no because it is a depressant and will only add to your depression.
– Learn meditation – it is extremely useful for your long-term health.
– Go see your doctor and/or a therapist
©2010 Yaz
Dr Yaz Headley 
Always a good job right here. Keep rolling on.