Major depression is a mood disorder that strikes more than nine million Americans each year, according to the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. It negatively affects the individual's behavior, thoughts and feelings. Most people understand that depression is a mental illness, but many lack in-depth knowledge of this common problem.
Lack of Treatment
The Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine reports that two out of three depressed people do not seek treatment. Untreated depression can lead to job loss, marital strain and suicide. It can also cause years of unneeded misery for the sufferer. Some people with depression do not realize they have it, while others are unaware that effective treatments exist. Many are afraid of the perceived stigma associated with being diagnosed with a mental illness. Still others do not believe in psychiatric treatment. Some people are so severely depressed that they are incapable of making the decision to enter treatment on their own. Poverty, lack of insurance and misplaced pride may also interfere with seeking help.
Different People Need Different Treatment
A patient presenting to the doctor with a bacterial infection gets a prescription for an antiobiotic. Unfortunately, treatment for depression may be somewhat more complex. Some patients benefit from antidepressant medication while others experience more relief from psychotherapy. Still others improve after a few weeks of both. The physician or mental health professional is adept at determining whether a patient will benefit from drugs or talk therapy. Underlying physical or mental illnesses can affect patient response to treatment; a brief trial is sometimes needed to find the best answer for the patient's depression. It is important for the patient to continue treatment until the provider has determined it is safe to discontinue.
Depression Arises From Several Causes
Depression may stem from losses in life of the individual's life. It may be precipitated by severe stressors coupled with ineffective coping mechanisms. The Illinois Department of Public Health also explains that medicines and hormonal imbalances may play a role. Deficiencies in brain chemicals are felt to be responsible for some cases of depression. Finally, genetics are implicated in the tendency to suffer from this disorder. These different causations allow some cases to go untreated because many people are unaware that individuals whose lives appear idyllic and stress-free can also become depressed.
The Symptoms Can Be Tricky
Some symptoms of depression are well-known: sadness, hopelessness and low self-esteem. Others signs can be confusing, however. One depressed person may binge on ice cream each night while another may have to force themselves to eat enough to live. One person may have severe insomnia while another sleeps 18 hours a day.
One person suffering from depression may be irritable with everyone around him while another merely falls silent. The key to recognizing symptoms is realizing that the person's behavior has changed significantly. These types of changes warrant a trip to the physician for a physical and mental examination, at which time major depression may be diagnosed.
References
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine: Department of Psychiatry: Depression Facts
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Women's Health: Facts About Depression
- "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice;" Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
