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Roughly 15% of the world's population are using prescription medicine to deal with depression. At one point or another in our lives, we will all suffer from some level of depression which can last a day or for much longer periods. If depression symptoms last for longer than two weeks, it is then deemed to be clinical in nature. What is depression? Depression is a condition that causes such negative feelings and emotions as helplessness, sadness and low self-esteem. The symptoms will vary from one person to another in both their appearance and their severity. This can make depression tough to diagnose. Symptoms: - Easily agitated. - Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss. - Concentration difficulties. - Flat affect - no facial expressions. - Overly fatigued. - Feel as if there is no hope. - Low self-esteem, unwarranted guilt and self-loathing. - Withdrawal from life's daily activities that were previously enjoyed. - Thoughts of death or suicide. - Insomnia - Sleeping too much Depression can also cause anger, delusions and hallucinations. Suicide becomes an alternative that is seriously considered as the best way to end the suffering. It is important to try and pick up on the signals early with depression before they get out of hand and lead to suicide. Treatment: Antidepressant and antipsychotic medications are the usual treatment. Additionally, psychotherapeutic sessions with a licensed professional are also advised, to help the person cope with their feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The greatest benefit to the patient is derived when medications are combined with sessions with a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist. Not all medications work for all people. Antidepressants have a high risk of suicidal behavior in people between the ages of 18 and 24 years of age. Therefore, caution must be exercised when prescribing these medications. Medications include: Tricyclic antidepressants, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Lithium and thyroid medications may be necessary to supplement antidepressants, as they increase the actions of antidepressants. Psychological symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations are treated with antipsychotic medication, such as quetiapine, which has been approved for depression and bipolar disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, administers electrical current to uplift the mood of those suffering from severe depression. ECT is used when the patient does not respond well to other treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), acts to modify brain function. It resembles ECT, but without the side effects. Light therapy administered during winter month when there is less sunlight can help to alleviate symptoms of depression. It is important that you contact a medical professional if your symptoms of depression are severe or prolonged, or if medication is not having the desired effect. It may be a simple matter of changing the dosage or the type of medication to make the treatment as effective as possible.
Jared Wright is the webmaster for the free learning community site, Clivir.com. Visit the links below to read more about related depression issues including manic depression symptoms and printable beck depression inventory .
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