DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION
Sure, everybody feels sad or blue now and then.
But if you're sad most of the time, and it's giving
you problems with:
• Your grades or attendance at school/work
• Your relationships with your family and friends
• Alcohol, drugs, or sex
• Controlling your behavior in other ways
The problem may be DEPRESSION
The good news is that you can get
treatment and feel better soon. Clinical
depression is a serious illness that can
affect anybody, including teenagers. It can
affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and
overall health. Most people with depression
can be helped with treatment. But a
majority of depressed people never get the
help they need. And, when depression isn't treated, it can get worse,
last longer, and prevent you from getting the most out of this important
time in your life.
First, there are two kinds of depressive illness: the
sad kind, called major depression, and manic-
depression or bipolar disorder, when feeling down
and depressed alternates with being speeded-up
and sometimes reckless.
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You should get evaluated by a
professional if you've had five or more
of the following symptoms for more
than 2 weeks or if any of these
symptoms cause such a big change
that you can't keep up your usual
routine.....
When You're Depressed...
• You feel sad or cry a lot and it doesn't go away.
• You feel guilty for no reason; you feel like you're
no good; you've lost your confidence.
• Life seems meaningless or like nothing good is
ever going to happen again. You have a negative
attitude a lot of the time, or it seems like you have
no feelings.
• You don't feel like doing a lot of the things you used to like—like
music, sports, being with friends/family, going out—and you want to
be left alone most of the time.
• It's hard to make up your mind. You forget lots of things, and it's
hard to concentrate.
• You get irritated often. Little things make you lose your temper; you
over-react.
• Your sleep pattern changes; you start sleeping a lot more or you
have trouble falling asleep at night. Or you wake up really early
most mornings and can't get back to sleep.
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Your eating pattern changes; you've lost your appetite or you eat
alot more
You feel restless and tired most of the time.
You think about death, or feel like you're dying, or have thoughts
about committing suicide.
When You're Manic...
You feel high as a kite...like you're "on top of the world."
You get unreal ideas about the great things you can do...things
that you really can't do.
Thoughts go racing through your head, you jump from one subject
to another, and you talk a lot.
You're a non-stop party, constantly running around.
You do too many wild or risky things: with driving, with spending
money, with sex, etc.
You're so "up" that you don't need much sleep.
You're rebellious or irritable and can't get along at home or
school, or with your friends.
Talk to Someone
If you are concerned about depression in yourself or a loved one
TALK TO SOMEONE about it. There are people who can help you get
treatment:
A professional at a mental health center or Mental Health
Association
A trusted family member
Your family doctor
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•Your clergy
•A school counselor or nurse
•A social worker
•A responsible adult
Or, if you don't know where to turn, the telephone directory or
information operator should have phone numbers for a local hotline
or mental health services or referrals.
Depression can affect people of any age, race, ethnic or economic
group.
Having depression doesn't mean that a person is weak, or a failure, or
isn't really trying...it means they need treatment.
Most people with depression can be helped with psychotherapy,
medicine, or both together.
Short-term psychotherapy, means talking about feelings with a
trained professional who can help you change the relationships,
thoughts, or behaviors that contribute to depression.
Medication has been developed that
effectively treats depression that is severe or
disabling.
Antidepressant medications are not "uppers"
and are not addictive. Sometimes, several
types may have to
be tried before you and your doctor find the
one that works best.
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Treatment can help most depressed people start to feel better in just
a few weeks.
So remember, when your problems seem too big and you're feeling
low for too long, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There's help out there and you
can ask for help. And if you know someone who you think is depressed,
you can help: Listen and encourage that person to seek treatment. If
your loved one doesn't ask for help soon, talk to someone who can
help—especially if that person mentions suicide.
What You Need to Know About Suicide...
Most people who are depressed do not
commit suicide. But depression increases
the risk for suicide or suicide attempts. It
is not true that people who talk about
suicide do not attempt it. Suicidal
thoughts, remarks, or attempts are
ALWAYS SERIOUS...if any of these happen
to you or a loved one, you must tell
someone who can help IMMEDIATELY...it's
better to be safe than sorry... .
Why Do People Get Depressed?
Sometimes people get seriously
depressed after something like a divorce
in the family, major financial
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problems, someone you love dying, a messed up home life, or
breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Other times—like with other illnesses—
depression just happens. Often
individuals react to the pain of
depression by getting into trouble:
trouble with alcohol, drugs, or sex;
trouble with school or bad grades;
problems with family or friends. This is
another reason why it's important to
get treatment for depression before it
leads to other trouble.
Depression and Alcohol and Other Drugs
A lot of depressed people also
have problems with alcohol or
other drugs. (Alcohol is a drug,
too.) Sometimes the depression
comes first and people try drugs
as a way to escape it. (In the long
run, drugs or alcohol just make
things worse!) Other times, the
alcohol or other drug use comes
first, and depression iscaused by:
• The drug itself, or
• Withdrawal from it, or
• The problems that substance use causes.
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And sometimes you can't tell which came first...the important point is
that when you have both of these problems, the sooner you get
treatment, the better. Either problem can make the other worse and
lead to bigger trouble, like addiction. You need to be honest about
both problems—first with yourself and then with someone who can help
you get into treatment...it's the only way to really get better and stay
better.
DEPRESSION IS A REAL MEDICAL ILLNESS AND
IT'S TREATABLE.
Be Able to Tell Fact From Fiction
Myth: It's normal for teenagers to be moody; teens don't suffer from real
depression.
FACT: Depression is more than just being moody, and it can affect
people at any age, includingteenagers.
Myth: Telling someone that a loved one might be depressed is
betraying a trust. If someone wants help, he or she will get it.
FACT: Depression, which saps energy and self-esteem, interferes
with a person's ability or wish to get help. It is an act of true care to
share your concerns with someone who can help.
Myth: Talking about depression only makes it worse.
FACT: Talking through feelings with a good friend is often a helpful
first step. Friendship, concern, and support can provide the
encouragement to talk to a trusted person about getting evaluated
for depression.
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Are You Considering Anti-Depressant Medication for Depression?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Perhaps your counselor has mentioned the
option of antidepressant medication to you, or
you’ve wondered whether this option might be
helpful based on something you’ve heard, or
based on the experiences of friends or family
members.
This information is designed to answer some of
the most frequently asked questions about
antidepressants. We hope the information will
serve as a starting point for a more in-depth
discussion with a counselor and/or a
psychiatrist. If you decide to explore the
option of medication further, you will want to
meet with a medical care professional
experienced in prescribing antidepressants.
This may be a nurse practitioner, a
physician, or a psychiatrist (a medical
doctor whose specialty is the
diagnosis and treatment of emotional
and mental health problems.)
psychiatrist is specially trained in the
use of medication to treat depression.
List of questions:
1. Shouldn't I be able to feel better without taking medication?
Don't other people get through this without medication?
Many people will feel better with the help of counseling, and
medication may not be necessary at all.
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However, if left untreated altogether,
depression can last longer or even
worsen. It can seriously interfere with
your ability to study, work and enjoy
relationships. Depression also can be a
life-threatening illness when there is a
risk of suicide. Many people get better
without medication, but sometimes
medication is necessary to help lighten
your mood and help you to function so
that you can begin working through
other problems.
2. Is there a blood test for depression?
The diagnosis of depression is based
on the recognition of certain
characteristic signs and symptoms
affecting your mood state, thinking
patterns and physical well-being. At
present, there is no blood test that can
confirm or eliminate the diagnosis of
depression.
3. What is the first step in considering a medication?
Stop by the Academic & Staff Assistance Program on 2730 Stockton
Blvd., Sacramento, Ticon III, 3rd floor or call (916) 734-2727. Your
counselor will evaluate your symptoms and recommend whether
depression medication is likely to help you, given your unique
symptoms and circumstances. If medication seems like a
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reasonable option, you will be referred to a nurse practitioner or
primary care physician in the health service or to a psychiatrist
(physician specializing in antidepressant medications) in the
community.
4. How does an antidepressant work?
Depression is an illness in which factors such as genetics, chemical
changes in the body and external events may play an important
role. Research suggests that depression may be linked to changes in
the functioning of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Current
research focuses on the serotonin,
norepinephrine and
dopamine systems.
Certain genetic
factors and changes
in body hormones
also have been
implicated in some
depressive conditions.
These complex
biological changes
can produce
profound
changes in your mood and behavior. Antidepressants are thought to
correct some of the chemical imbalances present in a depressive
illness.
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5. What might my doctor ask me to do before prescribing
medication?
The first step is usually an appointment
with a psychiatrist to discuss your
depressive symptoms. Your psychiatrist
may ask the same questions another
professional already has asked you.
While you may find this repetition
frustrating, keep in mind that questions
are repeated so that your doctor can
gain a thorough
understanding of your symptoms, medical history, medication use,
and drug or alcohol use. For female patients it also will be important
to discuss issues of pregnancy and birth control use since medication
may be potentially harmful to a fetus or nursing infant. Since certain
drugs, as well as some medical conditions, can produce depressive
symptoms, you also may be referred to another physician for a
complete physical exam and laboratory tests.
6. How will my doctor choose which medication to prescribe?
Antidepressants generally are classified by the chemical properties
of the drug and the way in which they are thought to work. Groups
of medications your doctor may refer to include: Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants
(TCAs) or Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). Some clinicians
may refer to medications discovered in the last 10 to 15 years as
"new" medications and those medications that have been available
in the last 30 years as "older" medications. There also are mood
stabilizers for those with bipolar disorder.
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Like shoe sizes, not every medication is the right
fit for every individual; a medication that
worked well for a friend may not be the best
match for you. Your doctor will consider your
particular symptoms when selecting your
medication. He/she also will consider potential
adverse effects of medication.
treatment is to effectively eliminate depression with a medication
that produces minimal problems or adverse effects. Unfortunately,
an "ideal" medication that does not pose some potential problem or
risk is not yet available. Side effects generally are mild and
decrease with time. Research is focusing on more selective
medications for depression that produce fewer and less problematic
side effects. It is important that you ask your doctor about any
concerns you might have about a medication or its potential side
effects.
7. What are the possible side effects of antidepressant
medication?
Antidepressants are a relatively safe treatment option in otherwise
healthy individuals being treated for depression. Like most
prescribed (and some over-the-counter medications),
antidepressants may cause mild, and usually temporary, side effects
in some people. Most of the time, side effects are manageable and
disappear over time. Common side effects include nausea, loose
stools or constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, sleep
changes, dry mouth, headache and blurred vision. Some people
experience a change in sexual interest or functioning. While more
severe problems are less common, they are possible.
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Your doctor or pharmacist will have
information sheets that outline a
range of potential side effects.
Each time you meet with your
doctor for follow-up sessions, she or
he will ask about your response to
the medication and check for
problematic effects. Unusual side
effects or those that could interfere
with your ability to work or study
should be reported to your doctor
immediately so that changes in the
medication can be made. Most side effects are reversible and
gradually disappear after a medication is stopped. Don't esitate to
talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
8. How long will it take before the medication helps me? How will
I know that the medication is working?
All antidepressants take time to work. Don't be discouraged if you
don't feel better right away. Therapeutic response typically occurs
within two to four weeks after treatment is started, although some
people feel better sooner. It is not unusual for your friends and family
to notice signs of improvement before you do. When the medication
begins to work, you may find yourself increasingly able to
accomplish things and enjoy life in a way that is more "normal" for
you. If you do not respond to one medication, your doctor may
recommend a change of dosage or a change to other
medication(s). Each person is unique in his or her response to
medication. Treatment of depression is an ongoing process, with
your doctor monitoring and -"fine tuning" your medication,
depending on how it is working for you.
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9. Is the medication addictive? Will I get "high"?
The currently prescribed medications that are
approved for the treatment of depression are not
considered addictive. Drug addiction implies that
you would crave increasing amounts of a
substance. While certain medications used in
treating unusual forms of depression do have
potentially addictive qualities, these medications
are not considered standard antidepressants.
Although antidepressants are not addictive, you
may experience some symptoms that lead you to wonder whether
you are getting "high." Early on in treatment, antidepressants may
cause you to feel unusually energized, especially compared to your
previous state. Feeling "high" or intoxicated suggests an unusual
reaction to your medication, an interaction with another
medication, complications from drug or alcohol use, or an
unwanted side effect. In addition, some patients with bipolar
disorder may experience an unwanted episode of euphoria
10. Will the medication change my personality?
Medication will not change who you are as a person, your unique
personal characteristics, or your life circumstances. The goal of
antidepressant therapy is to allow you to work toward positive
changes in your mood state and thinking patterns. Antidepressant
medication assists people in experiencing the full range of human
emotions without feeling overwhelmed. Although these positive
changes may seem like personality changes, most often they are a
sign that you are recovering your ability to react to people and
situations in a non-depressed way. Sometimes antidepressant
medication produces temporary side effects that feel like negative
changes in personality. In particular, you may feel less emotionally
sensitive or less "intense" than you did before taking medication.
