Depression: Symptoms and Treatment Options

It is commonly believed that a certain degree of depression or “being blue” is healthy in certain situations. For instance, feelings of depression are a normal part of the grieving process. Without a certain degree of depression we could not effectively deal with a given tragedy, such as the death of a loved one, and move on with our lives.

However, for a certain number of us these feelings of depression do not fade over time. More disturbingly yet, a certain segment of the population experiences these overwhelming feelings of sadness for no obvious reason. Doctors use the term Clinical Depression to describe the form of persistent and debilitating depression that does not fade over time but grows to dominate and destroy every aspect of an individual’s life.

Depression is a fairly common psychiatric condition that affects both the psyche and physic of an afflicted individual. In fact depression is so common that experts believe it to be the number one cause of disability in the world.

However, the exact number of people who suffer from depression is hard to determine since most do not seek medical help and thus are not formally diagnosed. But, the only good news about depression is that almost everyone suffering from this condition can be helped with treatment.

COMMON CAUSES OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

It is important to remember that there is no single known cause for depression. The following is a list of factors commonly believed to contribute to individuals’ feelings of depression.

1. Trauma and Stress: The breakup of a relationship, the death of a loved one or the loss of employment can trigger the onset of depression in some individuals.
2. Heredity: Researchers have identified several genes that may be involved in the onset of depression. Depression can run in families for generations and yet not everyone with a family history develops the disorder. Likewise, individuals with no family history of depression could experience the onset of symptoms.
3. Illness: Serious medical conditions contribute to depression by putting stress on both the body and mind.
4. Hormones: Women are far more likely to suffer from depression than men which leads researchers to believe hormonal factors may play a role in the development of depression.
5. Alcohol, Nicotine, and Drug Abuse: At first doctors thought that people use drugs and alcohol to ease the symptoms of depression. Studies now show that the use f these products can trigger the onset of depression.
6. Medication: Certain medications such as drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills and occasionally birth control pills can cause symptoms of depression in certain individuals.
7. Personality: Individuals with low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

1. Persistent Sadness: These feelings of sadness are debilitating and go far beyond the normal feeling of being “blue”.
2. Feelings of Anxiety: These feelings of anxiety are debilitating and cause the individual to act irrationally.
3. Loss of Interest or Pleasure in Life: What was once enjoyable is no longer of interest.
4. Neglect of Personal Responsibility or Personal Hygiene: This neglect often causes depressed individuals to loose their jobs and their livelihoods by not going to work or paying their bills.
5. Feeling Helpless, Hopeless or Worthless: Depressed individuals often have a very negative view of themselves and harbor a very low self esteem.
6. Chronic Fatigue: Everyday activities such as getting out of bed, showering, walking to the mailbox, etc.. become an impossible chore to depressed individuals.
7. Physical Symptoms Such as Headaches, and Unexplained Chronic Pain: It is important to remember that depression is a mental disease that often exhibits physical symptoms as well.
8. Thoughts of Suicide: These thoughts are the most severe and dangerous symptom of depression. The threat of suicide in depressed individuals must never be minimized.

TRADITIONAL TREATMENT METHODS FOR CLINICAL DEPRESSION

1. Antidepressant Drugs: Antidepressants improve the symptoms of depression by bringing the levels of brain chemicals such as Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine back into balance. Types of antidepressant drugs include: NDRIs, SSRIs, SNRIs. These drugs tend to have side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight loss, and dry mouth. Consumers must be warned that in some cases, especially those involving children and teenagers, antidepressants have been linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts and behavior.
2. Electroconvulsive Therapy: As scary as it may sound, this form of therapy is generally safe and effective. This therapy is usually used for people who don’t respond to medications and for those at high risk of suicide.
3. Psychotherapy: The success of therapy depends on finding a psychiatrist or psychologist you’re comfortable with.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT METHODS FOR CLINICAL DEPRESSION

1. St. John’s Wort: This herb is widely prescribed in Europe to treat anxiety and depression.
2. SAM-e: This chemical substance is available in Europe as a prescription drug to treat depression. In the United States it is sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.
3. 5-HTP: This is one of the raw material your body needs to produce Serotonin.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These fatty acids are being studied as a possible mood stabilizer for people with bipolar depression and other psychiatric disorders.

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