Depression is a tricky topic -- a sensitive issue for those of us who have dealt with it personally or in the lives of loved ones, and an issue of much study and controversy in mainstream culture. There is no definitive understanding of depression, and the social stigma attached to depression as a mental or physical illness can make it doubly hard for someone suffering from depression to seek the help she or he needs to live a healthy, happy life. If you are struggling with depression, it is important to remember that you have the right, and ability, to find treatment in the time, place, and manner that makes you feel most comfortable and healthy.
This page is not meant to be substitute for professional medical or therapeutic advice. Rather, we will try our best to provide you with all the information you may need to begin the process of understanding your depression and taking steps to help yourself find professional help. If you are in the midst of a serious emotional crisis and/or feel out of control or suicidal, seek help immediately (see the paragraph below for hotline numbers).
Treating Depression
Talk to someone who understands what you're feeling and can help you decide how to address your depression. A licensed counselor or therapist is the obvious suggestion here, but you can also find a trusted friend or family member -- someone who can understand what you're going through and offer you realistic advice. If you can't afford a therapist's fees, or feel you have no one to turn to, remember there are plenty of free and affordable services someone in your position. Look in the phonebook for the number of a local crisis center, or call a suicide/emotional crisis hotline (you can reach the National hotlines at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK). Do whatever it takes to be able to talk to someone who will listen; this is the first and hugely important step in dealing with your depression.
Evaluate your life to look for possible causes of your depression as well as changes you can make to improve the way you feel. Many common environmental factors can contribute to depression, including an unhealthy relationship, stressful workful environment, financial problems, and low self-esteem. Be honest with yourself as you evaluate your situation; ask yourself, "would I be happier if X was different?". If the answer is yes, think of specific, realistic ways you can make the needed change and start working towards these as you continue to find help for your depression.
Take positive action to help yourself. Low motivation and feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and defeat are common symptoms of depression that can make it hard or nearly impossible to take the action you need to find treatment for your depression, but it is essential that you do so. Concentrate on small, achievable steps you can take each day -- like taking a shower, getting to work on time, calling a friend, and doing something nice for yourself -- to make yourself feel a little better. Make a list of bigger steps you can, and will, take to find professional treatment for your depression. Make an appointment with your doctor, call a therapist or a crisis hotline, look for a support group near your home.
Don't use unhealthy substances or behavior to deal with your depression. Alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, casual sex, and unhealthy relationships are just a few outlets people often use to "deal with", or avoid, their depression. These substances and behaviors are more likely to worsen your depression than really help. Focus instead on positive, proactive steps you can take to really treat your depression.
Seek professional medical advice to help you with your depression. A medical doctor or licensed psychotherapist will have the education, experience, and knowledge necessary to help you understand your depression, treat it and, if necessary, live with it in a healthy way. Your doctor or therapist should offer you a range of alternatives for treating your depression, including counseling, medication, and/or lifestyle changes. For more information about depression medication, continue reading below.Medicating Depression
The development of medication for depression has made it possible to treat the physical aspects of depression (chemical imbalances in the brain) to produce relief and recovery from the mental and emotional symptoms of depression. Antidepressent medication is still being developed and refined and is usually prescribed in two stages. The initial treatment is more intense, designed to relieve symptoms quickly and find the proper balance of medication, then followed by a short- or long-term (depending on the severity of depression) period of medication to prevent a relapse.
There are a few main families of medications used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the amount of serotonin available to your brain and have the fewest serious side effects. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and include such names as Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) also work to treat depression by correcting imbalanced neurotransmitters in the brain. Stimulants (such as Ritalin) may be prescribed if you can't take direct antidepressants, or may be prescribed in conjunction with another antidepressant to balance side effects.
Antidepressant medication affects everyone differently. Serious side effects of antidepressants can include (this is a partial list) headache, nausea, anxiety, change in sexual drive, insomnia, drowsiness, and dizziness. Side effects should be temporary and/or relatively mild. If you feel that your antidepressant medication isn't working, or are overwhelmed by side effects, you should talk to your doctor immediately. It is important to understand the medication and dosages prescribed to you for your depression; being aware and feeling that you have a choice in your treatment is an important part of sucessfully dealing with your depression.
