Depression
By saseedharan
@saseedharan (102)
India
February 17, 2007 1:20am CST
Depression is more than just a mood disorder, which is a reall illness that not only affects one's mood and thoughts, but also appetite, sleep patterns and one's self esteem. It may also involve physical symptoms, such a stomach pain, headache and rapid heartbeat. There are several different types of depression, so you will hear terms like major depression, endogenous depression, chronic depression etc. These tend to describle the predominant symptoms, their severity or their duration.
The causes of depression are complex. It may be a combination of changes in the chemical balance of the brain cells, and genetic factors may also be involved. Sone types of depression run in families. Stressful environment, low self-esteem, stress, bereavement, chronic illness, financial problems or any unwelcome change in the life pattern are some major factors those can be involved.
A depressive disorder is often a severe, enduring and recurring mental condition, which needs active management.
There are many treatment available for depression, including counselling and medicines, but the first step is always to get an physical and psychological assessment to find out whether you have a depressive illness.
Anti-depressant medicines are often used, which are of different types. The doctor will recommend which is the right one under the particular circumstances.
2 people like this
11 responses
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
17 Feb 07
I too suffer depression. Clinical depression to be exact, and like the person above, I don't do pills.
The Doctor offered me pills and I refused point blank, as a result of seeing what they did to my mom and my sister.
I use Aromatherapy to help combat my depression and it works pretty well - as well as keeping my apartment smelling nice lol. There are different scents for different stages of depression, such as Lavender to help combat insomnia, and geranium to lift your mood in the day time.
I'm lucky in that I have a loving partner who tries his absolute best and is patient and understanding with me when I hit a rough low. If you have someone who understands, they can help you through the rough times, and try to reassure you that you're not alone.
2 people like this
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Oh yea, I use the aromatherapy too. It is amazing what a few scents can do for you. After the accupuncture I did get some homeopathic depression remedy and I used that daily for about 2 months and it really worked without the side effects.
Having someone who really understands is a big help. My husband didn't and still doesn't really understand but he tries to be patient and doesn't make me worse by lecturing me.
I truly believe that unless you have had you will never fully understand it and the control it has on your life.
@abbie_chad06 (14)
• Philippines
18 Feb 07
yeah! depression can lead to serious problem when you take it for granted. There are instances in life where depression stays with you for a long time unless you fight it or forget the cause of your depression. It could also cause you stress that could lead you to bad health as soon as possible your feeling depress think that God is around to help
1 person likes this
@tater03 (1765)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Thank you, this was very informative information. I have a friend that suffered for years with depression. But her symptoms were more of the type that she slept alot and never really wanted to do anything. She finally went and got help and she is doing a lot better.
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@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
18 Feb 07
Thanks for this very nice discussion on depression...
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@Regina126 (13)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Depression is a very complex condition. It affects people in so many different ways and it's hard to classify. Long term use of medication is generally recommended by most physician; however, you will some will allow you to explore homeopathic remedies. I have opted not to medicate because 95% of medications stop working within 6 months to 1.5 years and then you have to start all over again to find what works. I have learned what my triggers and warning signs are and I change my diet and focus on relaxation techniques. Sometimes alking to a friend or counselor helps alot.
1 person likes this
@mhhi12 (2)
• India
18 Feb 07
My mother is suffering from depression since last 24 years. Some times she becomes so desperate and resless I feel pity on her. She is taking medicines since last 24 years but it helps her for some time then again the condition is same. She loves my younger brother very much and wants to stay with him, but his wife don't like it. So these is the main reason for her depression.
1 person likes this
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
17 Feb 07
That is a really good short description of the basics of depression. It really is a hard to understand disorder, but it effects not only the person who has it but also everyone in their life.
It takes real patience to try to understand and live with someone who has the disorder. I was diagnossed about 4 years ago with major depression and boy did it really effect my life. I did have trouble with sleeping and other physical sympotoms, but the psycological symptoms were the ones that really got to me.
I actaully had no luck with the medicine as it made me worse than I was to start with, so I ended up going to accupuncture and that really worked. There were no side effects and I began to feel better.
It is not something that ever truly goes away, it just can be controlled. It is not the end of the world if you get it, but it does take effort to recover and then effort to stay healthy.
My advice to anyone who knows someone with depression or if you have depression, it is really important to do research and learn everything you can about depression and take it day by day.
1 person likes this
@sneezeklenex (344)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I have depression from head trauma in my car accident. I always had depression but not as severe as it is now that I've had my accident. The doctor said it is normal for a person with that severe of a head trauma to have depression. I take Zoloft for it. I take 100 mgs. First I went to a counselor, but that didn't seem to handle all of it, so I went to the doctor and he said that the symptoms I was still experencing was a type of depression. He, therefore, prescribed me a higher dosage because I was always on depression medicine since I woke up from my coma. (thus, ends my story :o)
1 person likes this
@artistmel2000 (438)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I agree, this is a short, concise, comprehensive description of depression. Unfortunately, I've been battling depression almost my whole life. Without going into detail, I survived years of trauma as a child and adolescent and my depression is secondary to the PTSD and dissociative disorder that I have. Recently, my psychiatrist diagnosed me with Treatment Resistant Depression, which means the meds work for a short period of time then stop working. I can't begin to tell you how many different meds I've tried, alternative therapies, etc, that just don't work. Finally, we were down to our last options, ECT, the Magnet or VNS. I wasn't especially excited about ECT and the Magnet is only available in Canada (who has the money for that?), so I learned more about VNS. VNS or Vagus Nerve Stimulation has only been approved by the FDA for a little over a year, but it shows promising results for TRD. I was implanted in August, 2006, and while my dose isn't optimal yet, I do see signs of improvement. You can learn more by Googling Cyberonics or Vagus Nerve Stimulation.
@kortni (26)
• Canada
17 Feb 07
I do not support anti depressants. In my opinion i've seen them do more harm then good in the long run.
They change people for the worst, when they're supposed to make them better.
I'm also clinically depressed.
I've been dealing with it my whole life (as in, parents didn't believe it, even thought the doctor said i was)
My aunt recently told me i should go on anti depressants, and i told her flat out no. I've gone my whole life without them, and i can go the rest of my life without them. Yes i have relapses here and there, but i have grown to be able to control myself in those times.
I don't need any pills to suddenly change my personality..
I do support councelling though. I just wish my family had put me into something like that when i was younger.
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