Q: |
What
is depression? |
A: |
Depression
is a sustained period of low mood (usually two weeks or more)
that interferes with day-to-day activities and the enjoyment
of life. |
Q: |
What
do you mean by "low mood"? |
A: |
The
low mood that comes with depression is characterized by sadness
and loss of pleasure in activities that one normally enjoys.
Alternatively, it can be a feeling of emotional deadness — flat,
empty and indifferent. Unreasonable feelings of guilt or
low self-esteem are often part of a depressed mood. So is
hopelessness. |
Q: |
Doesn't
everybody get sad sometimes? |
A: |
Absolutely.
Low moods come and go in the normal course of life. Depression
only becomes an issue when it is prolonged, and serious enough
to interfere with daily activities, relationships, and one's
goals and plans for the future. |
Q: |
How
does depression affect a person's mental functioning? |
A: |
Depressed
people often have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
Sometimes they are indecisive — one patient described
taking five minutes to decide whether to cross the street — or
they are easily confused. It is very common for depressed
people to feel hopeless or to "beat up on themselves" by
thinking negative thoughts about themselves. Thoughts of
suicide are also common. |
Q: |
How
does depression affect people physically? |
A: |
Depressed
people often lose their interest in food and frequently lose
weight. Less often, depression causes people to indulge in
comfort eating and they gain weight. A change in sleep patterns
often accompanies depression. People have trouble getting
a good night's sleep, or alternatively, they sleep much more
than usual and have trouble getting out of bed. Other physical
symptoms may include decreased energy, tiredness, fatigue
and lack of interest in sex. |
Q: |
How
does depression affect people's behavior? |
A: |
People
who are depressed are often listless and withdrawn. They
may withdraw from their normal social activities and spend
an increasing amount of time alone. They may avoid leaving
the house. Their speech can be flat and uncommunicative.
Depressed people may be exhausted and feel like they're "dragging
themselves around." Sometimes they use excessive amounts
of alcohol, caffeine or other drugs in an attempt to make
themselves feel better. |
Q: |
When
should a person seek treatment for depression? |
A: |
People
should seek treatment when the depression has been going
on for an extended period of time (two weeks or more) and
is interfering with their normal day-to-day functioning.
People who are actively planning to commit suicide (as opposed
to simply having thoughts about suicide) should seek treatment
immediately from a mental health professional or the emergency
room of their local hospital. |
Q: |
What
is the treatment for depression? |
A: |
Depression
is usually treated with therapy, medication or some
combination of the two. Mild depression may lift on its own
or be successfully treated with psychotherapy. Serious, prolonged
depression is usually most effectively treated with a combination
of medication and therapy. |
Q: |
If
I feel depressed, what can I do to help myself? |
A: |
There
are many ways to take care of yourself when you're feeling
mildly depressed. A good rule of thumb is to try to do
the things you don't feel like doing. Here are some tips:
- Get
some aerobic exercise. If you are in normal
health, run, ride a bike, or walk briskly for about
20 minutes each day. Exercise releases endorphins,
the body's natural tranquilizers.
- Spend
time with people you like and respect. Spend
less time alone or with people who bore or irritate
you.
- Make
a regular sleep schedule and stick with it. Go
to bed at the same time each night. Get up at the
same time each morning, even if you haven't slept
well during the night. If you take naps, don't nap
longer than 20 minutes.
- Eat
a healthy, balanced diet. Don't overeat or undereat.
Pick healthy foods that you enjoy.
- See
your doctor for a checkup. There are a number
of physical ailments that can cause depression. A
checkup can screen you for them.
- Go
to the movies. Go out to the movies with a friend.
It's better to go to the movies than to stay home
alone watching TV.
- Spend
some time in nature. Go for hikes in the country
or in your local park.
- Watch
children playing. If you're not much around
children, a trip to the playground can work wonders.
- Postpone
as many decisions as possible. Try not to make
important decisions when you're depressed.
- Don't
use alcohol. Drinking may make you feel better
for a few hours. In the long run it makes things
much worse. Alcohol is a depressant.
- Take
care of yourself. Though your energy may be
limited, do the best you can to take care of yourself.
Shower and brush your teeth, even if you don't feel
like it. Try to keep the house reasonably clean.
Pay attention to your clothes and grooming.
|
Once
again, if the depression is serious or prolonged, please
contact a mental health professional. |
Helpful
Links:
National Institute of Mental Health - Depression |