Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression. The cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depression can interfere with normal functioning, and frequently causes problems with work, social and family adjustment. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the depressed person.Impact of Depression
- Causes tremendous emotional pain
- Disrupts the lives of millions of people
- Adversely affects the lives of families and friends
- Reduces work productivity and absenteeism
- Has a significant negative impact on the economy, costing an estimated $44 billion a year
- Learn as much as you can about your depression. It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first. How severe your depression is also has a role in treatment; the more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment is likely to be.
- It takes time to find the right treatment. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and supports that works best for you. For example, it might take a few tries to find a therapist that you click with if you decide to pursue therapy. Or you may try different types of exercise, finally to find that what’s best for you may be a twenty-minute walk after work. Be open to change and a little experimentation.
- Don’t rely on medications alone. It’s hard to escape ads about medication as a treatment for depression. Although medication can be effective for severe depression, studies have shown that therapy can be as effective or even a more effective treatment for many types of depression. Therapy and/or lifestyle changes may be all you need, and they come without the side effects of medication. If you do decide to try medication, remember that medication works best when you pursue therapy as well.
- Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends. Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength.
- Treatment takes time and commitment. All of these depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery has its ups and downs.
- Lifestyle changes that can treat depression. Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep, Social Support, Stress Reduction make changes in your life to help manage and reduce stress. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression.
posted by emedinfo
@9:32 PM
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