How long is depression normal and how long before it needs intervention?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
March 9, 2008 9:20pm CST
Do you think depression is like being any other kind of sick? After two weeks see a doctor unless it becomes more severe and you need to go to the hospital sooner?
I was depressed after my Mother died, I thought that was pretty normal, but Doctors wanted to give me drugs for it. They also wanted to give me drugs before she died. But isn't a certain amount of depressions sometimes normal?
What would you use as a rule to gage it?
2 people like this
3 responses
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
10 Mar 08
I am sorry to hear this about your mother. I have depression and really its hard to tell because I have had it my whole life and I don't do well on antidepressants, either weight gain or insomnia are worsened by them and neither I can afford. But I do know after I had my daughter I had post partum depression and they say that its normal to get "blues" for a few days after the baby is born but if these "blues" last longer than 2 weeks, then to seek help. I am sorry again for what you are going through.
2 people like this
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
Thanks, and I am sorry.. doesn't matter when it happened, still hard to deal with I am sure. I am glad dancing helps you. Sometimes believe it or not working out helps but it's not enough. And I agree, doctors want to put patients on pills.. it's not the answer as pills mask depression, even then not necessarily. We all need to find our own ways of dealing with it, in a healthy way. And yes, finances can easily depress someone. I really hope things improve for you.
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Yes, some depression is normal after a loss. However, if you are depressed for a long time, it can permanately change your brain chemistry. So going on the meds before that change can keep it from happening.
If you wait to go on, then the change may have happened and often can't be reversed.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Instead, I took up dancing, re-took up Martial Arts and started volunteering. A good physical high can be wonderful. If you want more of an explanation, see answer to #1, if this is good enough, then cool.
Thanks and take care.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
10 Oct 10
Well, sometimes its unavoidable that we feel depressed for the day..but for the health its not a good side, i believe in Meditation which will balance our mind and helps to be normal at situations.
