Hot Topic: Combating Depression
The holidays are over and it’s back to the grind. That alone has many people feeling a little blue. But sometimes those feelings of sadness and distress can mean more than just a temporary case of the blues. In fact, one in four adults suffer from some kind of diagnosable mental disorder.
Everyone feels a little down sometimes and that’s perfectly natural. But if those feelings don’t go away and begin to interfere with everyday life, it could mean that a depressive disorder is to blame. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there is no single known cause of depression. Rather, it likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.
Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior appear to function abnormally. In addition, important neurotransmitters – chemicals that brain cells use to communicate – appear to be out of balance. But these images do not reveal why the depression has occurred.
Some types of depression tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. However, depression can occur in people without family histories of depression as well. Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other factors.
In addition, trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.
So what are the signs and symptoms of depression? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), someone who is depressed has feelings of sadness or anxiety that last for weeks at a time. He or she may also experience:
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not get better, even with treatment
There are many places to turn to for help. Mental health resources can be found throughout communities and include:
• Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors
• Health maintenance organizations
• Community mental health centers
• Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
• Mental health programs at universities or medical schools
• State hospital outpatient clinics
• Family services, social agencies or clergy
• Peer support groups
• Private clinics and facilities
• Employee assistance programs
• Local medical and/or psychiatric societies
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression don’t wait, seek help immediately.
For more information on depression and other mental disorders, visit the NIMH web site.
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