Believe it or not, depression is going to take place and be different for individuals throughout the different stages of their lives. You are going to find that everyone experiences depression differently and these symptoms may also be different for a person based on the stage of life that they are in. In order to fully understand depression you are going to want to know how this is going to change throughout the different stages of life.

When children are smaller they may experience depression. It has been found that children who have these feelings younger in life are going to be more likely to suffering from the feelings of depression throughout life and they are going to struggle with these feelings for a longer amount of time. If you have ever been around a child when they are dealing with the feelings of depression then you are going to find that they are often going to state that they are sick a lot of times. They may also become very clingy with their parents and they may be concerned that their parents are going to die. This does appear to be a common fear with many small children that are struggling with depression.

As the child ages, his or her symptoms related to depression will begin to change. You may find that an older child is going to seem to sulk a lot or they may get into trouble when they are at school. It may become difficult to diagnose a child that is struggling with these symptoms as he or she may be considered to be normal. It may be hard to determine if the child is actually depressed as these actions may be seen as normal for a child of that age. These depressive symptoms may be experienced at a time when a child is going to be experiencing more and more life changes. He or she may be dealing with some sexuality issues and they are going to be going through puberty. All of these things are going to create some negative and new feelings for children as they grow.

When women get older and they begin taking care of themselves and they need to work and take care of their families they may find themselves dealing with depression. They may have some feelings that they are not able to control or they are going to have a great deal of stress. They are going to be taking care of others and doing so many different things that they are not going to really know what to do for themselves. This can really create some feelings of depression as women that are in these situations continue to push forward and try to cope with their everyday lives.

Now, men are going to most likely experience depression a little bit differently than women. They are going to be more willing to keep their feelings to themselves when they are dealing with feelings of depression. They may be more willing to turn to drugs and alcohol as coping skills for dealing with these feelings. This is not appropriate and some of these substances can even increase the depressive feelings. It can be very difficult to help a man deal with their feelings as they are not going to be willing to talk about or admit what they are experiencing.

Contrary to what some people may believe, depression is not considered to be a normal part of aging and becoming older. However, there are some seniors that are dealing with these feelings on regular basis. There may be times when these feelings are going to be overlooked as doctors and physicians will think that these feelings are contributed to medications that the elderly person is on or they may believe that these feelings are going to be related to other medical conditions that the senior is dealing with. All of this can really make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis and the assistance that is needed when seniors are dealing with depression.

You should know that most of the time the highest rates of suicide are going to be found in older males. What is even more shocking to know is that these elderly men were often at their doctors for a visit approximately one month before the suicide took place. That just goes to show that these symptoms are not picked up on and the depression goes untreated. When elderly patients are diagnosed accurately they are often able to deal with these feelings if they undergo different types of treatment. It may be possible to get the assistance that they need as long as their condition is identified and it is diagnosed early enough. This is definitely something that must be taken into consideration and that must be evaluated with symptoms seem to be presenting themselves.

When it comes to depression, or any other type of illness for that matter, many people never really stop and think about its history. Individuals that find out they are dealing with a condition like this do not want to know what happened in the past. They only want to know what is going on in the future. What types of treatment options are available and what can be done in order to help them deal with it now. While this is information that is needed, it is also very important to learn about the past as well. How have certain treatments come to be? What was effective before? What has been found to be effective now? When you learn about all of these things you are going to be able to deal with your depression a little bit better. Things begin to make more sense and treatment options begin to make more sense.

It seems that during the prehistoric times, depression was thought to be caused by an imbalance in the four different bodily fluids that were called humors. These were also contributed to helping form the personality types of individuals as well. The dominate humor was thought to be the cause of the personality that the person had.

Later many professionals started to draw on their own experiences and they began to look at depression a little bit differently. In fact, there were many professionals that started to view depression as a disturbance in the soul that is related to a moral conflict that is within the individual. This was an entirely new spin on depression but when you stop and think about it, it is very closely related to cognitive behavioral therapy. The individual must be able to see what struggles and conflicts they are facing in order to be able to deal with the depression.

As time went on, depression and its causes continued to change. In the 20th and 21st centuries depression was starting to be viewed as a conflict between society and a person’s ability to self actualize and to see their full potential. This was the view that was being taken by humanists. By the time that the mid 20th century came around there were many researchers that started the theory that depression was caused by a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain.

In the 1970’s there were clinicians that started to use the term major depressive disorder. This term was then placed into the DSM-III in 1980. This was related to the need for diagnostic criteria that would be related to the symptoms that someone would be experiencing when they were dealing with depression.

Throughout history there have been many different tests developed to help diagnose just about any medical condition that you can imagine. However, you need to know that there is not really a test that can be given in order to diagnose depression. History has helped with the development of the mental status examine by most of the time depression is going to be diagnosed by an individual’s self reports. Many times the doctor is going to order other medical tests that will be used to help rule out other conditions that may exhibit some of the same symptoms as depression but there is not really a depression tests or lab work that can be ordered by a doctor.

It is important to know that over the years professionals have continually changed what they believed to be the cause of depression. Today it is thought to be caused by a number of different factors that can range from psychological, hereditary and even biological. It is also important to realize that everyone can be different. In fact, there are even some medications that can cause the symptoms of depression if they have been used for a long time. All of this should be taken into consideration if you are dealing with depression or you know someone that is dealing with these symptoms.

It is easy to see that the causes of depression and mental illness have changed over time. The same is true for the treatment options that a person is going to have. What is important to remember is that someone who is dealing with depression is going to want to determine what may be causing his or her depression. This will increase the likelihood of finding and implementing a proper treatment. While new studies are done all of the time, and new theories are continually arriving in the medical field, it is very important to understand where the study of depression once was to fully understand where it is now. When you have a full understanding of the causes of depression you are going to be more likely to seek treatment. It creates hope and it helps you see that this has been struggled with by many for years.

When you know someone that may be dealing with depression you may worry about that person. It is very easy to see that this individual is going to be struggling with his or her symptoms. It may be very difficult for this person to do the things that they once did. They may not have an interest in the things that they once enjoyed or they may not be motivated like they were once before. Many individuals that are dealing with depression may find it hard to do the necessary life tasks that are required of them. Therefore, you are going to want to make sure that you are taking the time to learn about what you can do in order to help them deal with this condition.
You will need to start by helping the person come to grips with the feelings that they are experiencing. You need them to be willing to admit the feelings and to be honest about what they are dealing with. It can be very difficult to admit that there is a problem and the first step is often identifying the potential problem. It seems obvious that the person is not going to be willing to get help if they do not think that they have a problem in the first place. Simply communicating your concerns with the person may be enough to help the person admit that they dealing with feelings that they are not able to control.
Next, you are going to need to be supportive of the person. You will not want to consider him or her to be a shame to your family. It may be good for you to learn about depression so that you know what you are dealing with and what the other person is dealing with. Many people have the mindset that these feelings can be controlled when in reality they cannot be managed and they are not in control of the situation. Many times the depression may be related to a chemical imbalance that the person is not going to have any control over. When you recognize and understand this you are going to be more understanding.
It will be important for you to avoid increasing any guilty feelings that the person may have. You need to make sure that you are not telling the person that they would get better if they loved you or they cared about you. This is not effective as the person may want to get assistance but they may not know how to get the help that they need. They may have a difficult time becoming motivated to get the assistance that they need as well. When you play the “love me” card you are only going to make them feel worse about what they are dealing with.
There may be times when you may be considering threatening your loved one. This may happen in times when your loved one is threatening, or has threatened suicide. You may need to make threats at this time but you are not going to want to do this unless you are absolutely positive that you are going to be able to follow through with the threat. When you threaten your loved one because you are worried about their safety then you must be willing to follow through on it. You need to know who you can call, what type of assistance you are going to be given, and when you need to make that call. If these threats are idle then you are certainly going to let them know that you value their lives and you are not going to mess around with this.
Individuals that suspect someone that they love may be dealing with depression will not want to pass judgment related to the type of treatment that the person is selecting. There are some individuals that do not think their loved ones should need to look for assistance outside of the home. When you state this you are going to make it more and more difficult for the person to get the help that they need. You must be supportive of the type of treatment that the person is willing to accept. Just remember that everyone is different and not all treatment options are going to work for everyone.
The bottom line is that the person must admit that they have a problem before they will be willing to seek assistance for it. You can support the person and help them understand that you are concerned about them and that you can for them. You can help the person find treatment but it must ultimately be his or her decision. If you want them to get better they must be comfortable and they must be carrying out a treatment option that they have selected. Each treatment will have its advantages and disadvantages. It is best to let the person make that decision for themselves.

Anyone that has dealt with depression in the past can tell you that depression is not uncommon.  There are millions of people that have dealt with depression for numerous years.  This may not be something that you would consider good, but you think of it, it is nice to know that you may not be the only person dealing with it.  You will find that this also helps when it comes to finding different treatment options that may work for you.  When more individuals are effected, it seems that more people are going to want to find a cure and this motivates researchers.

The fact of the matter is that there are many different treatment options when it comes to depression.  However, not all of these remedies are going to be safe for you.  Because of that you may want to consider some natural remedies for depression that have been found to be effective and helpful for many people.  There are a lot of them out there and as long as you spend some time researching the different remedies out there, the easier it will be to find one that might be the best for you.

The first of many natural remedies for depression will be St. John’s wart.  If you look back through the years through the different folk medicine that has been used you will see that this has been used over the years to help treat sadness and even poor sleep.  Therefore, you are going to see that you will be using something for your symptoms that has been used for many years.  It was found to be effective in relation to the placebo and that is why many people will consider using it for their depression symptoms.  You are going to see that this will work best for those individuals that are dealing with minor or moderate depression.  Those people that are dealing with severe depression are not going to find this natural remedy as helpful as others.  What you need to remember with this remedy is that you must make sure that you are paying attention to what you are taking along with your St. John’s Wart because you do not want it to effect the other medications that you are taking.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to help yourself feel better when you are looking for a natural depression remedy. These are needed when it comes to helping your brain function normally.  You will see that you are going to have great relief from your depression symptoms when you use this.  However, it will be very important for you to know that you are going to have better results when you are using this natural remedy with other antidepressants.  You may be able to increase the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids that you have in your body by consuming different foods. You will find that if you are to consume more sardines, tuna or other cold water fish, you will be getting more Omega-3 fatty acids.

Another natural remedy that you can try would be decrease the amount of sweets that you are consuming throughout the day.  This is really good to know because you are going to find that when you are willing to decrease the amount of sweats that you are eating, you are not going to have the feeling that you are crashing when your blood sugar levels begin to decrease throughout the day.

Vitamin B-6 supplements may be needed when you are dealing with depression.  This vitamin is going to really effect your mood and if you have a deficiency then you are going to find that you may feel depressed from time to time.  If you are interested in increasing the amount of B-6 in your body you will want to consider taking a vitamin as a supplement.  It may also be possible for you to consume more foods that have this vitamin in them as well.  You are going to find that you will begin to feel better when you do this.

Regular exercise can be combined with light therapy in order to help a person deal with any depression feelings that they may be feeling.  You will find that you are going to begin to feel much better when you get outside and get moving.  However, this is not going to be as easy to do when you are suffering from depression and you are not motivated to get out of bed or to get a shower in order to leave the home.  It may take you a few times to get moving in order to begin to see the effects of both of these natural remedies.  But, it will be very easy for you to get both of these remedies in one shot if you are just able to get motivated to go outside and take a walk.

If you or a loved one has been struggling with depression, you are going to want to know a little bit more about the different types of depression that are out there.  This is often necessary in order to help you determine what types of treatment will be the best.  Everyone is going to respond to treatment differently and different types of depression are going to required different action.  The more that you know about this topic, the better able you are going to be to find an effective treatment for yourself or your loved one.

One of the first types of depression that you may experience could be major depressive disorder.  This type of depression is going to be debilitating for the individuals that are experiencing it.  It is going to be a lot worse than simply feeling sad or blue from time to time. Those people that are struggling with major depressive disorder will most likely have a very difficult time completing and carrying out any of the normal tasks that they need to be completing on a daily basis.  They are not going to be able to shower, go to work, take care of their children, ect.  Therefore, this type of depression is really going to cause some very serious complications and problems for families and friends.  Another difficult aspect of this type of depression is the fact that it will reoccur during the person’s life.

Another type of depression that you may come into contact with is going to be dysthymia.  This has also been called chronic depression.  The dysthymia is going to last for a long term.  In fact, you are going to find that the individual will suffer from the symptoms of depression for approximately two years or longer.  When you stop and think about it that is a long time to be dealing with the feelings of depression.  It can be very frustrating for friends and relatives alike.  However, it is very interesting to know that you are not going to be disabled with this type of depression. You may find that you are going to be suffering from depressed feelings but you are still going to be able to function and carry out the chores that are necessary throughout the day.  This type of depression is not going to be as severe as major depression.

When you stop and think about depression you will most often think of sadness.  You will find that there is another type of depression that is called atypical depression.  Individuals that are dealing with atypical depression are going to be very prone to overeating, oversleeping and even mood swings that are going to change quickly when something happens.  Some of these symptoms may not seem like depression to individuals that are on the outside looking in but this is a type of depression.

Individuals may find themselves dealing with bipolar disorder.  This was once called manic depression.  It is important to know this so that you will know what it is if you hear it called manic depression.  You will find that this type of depression is marked by continual mood swings.  The person may seem to be extremely depressed one day but he or she may appear to be really manic on another day.  These mood swings may change from day to day or you may not see a change in moods for several weeks or months.  It can be difficult to deal with someone who seems to be experiencing rapid cycling because you may never know what they are thinking or what their mood is going to be like.

You may know someone that seems to become depressed around the same time each and every year.  This is not uncommon and it is called seasonal affective disorder.  It has been called SAD by others in the past. This is different from other types of depression because the person is going to be become depressed around the same time each and every year.  He or she is going to appear to be more than “down in the dumps” and “blue”. These are not going to be symptoms that the person is able to simply shake off.

If you know someone that has just recently had a child then you may be familiar with post partum depression.  This is actually more common than you may think and the new mother is going to develop the symptoms of depression within the first month after the baby is born.  This is something that the new mother is not going to be able to control and they may not be able to simply snap out of it.  Some people have called this “baby blues”.

As you can see, there are a number of different types of depression.  This list does not even include all of the different types that a person may experience.  If you or someone that you love could be dealing with any of these types of depression then you should consult a doctor in order to discuss symptoms and treatment options.

If you are a teenager, or you have a teenager in your home, you will want to spend some time learning about depression. The symptoms of depression can often be debilitating for some teenagers and it can be very difficult to identify what is going on. There may be times when it is also going to be difficult to determine an effective treatment as well. When you have a better understanding of depression you are going to be able to get the help that you need, or you are going to be able to help your loved one.

First and foremost, it is very important to realize that there are many misconceptions related to teen depression. There are times when an individual is going to notice a teen that appears to be sad and depressed from time to time. However, these individuals may think that the teenager is simply “being a teen”. That is often common as many teens are going to want to be isolated from time to time. What you need to remember is that teenage depression is going to be more than the teen simply wanting to be by his or herself.

Now that this has been cleared up, it is interesting to know a little bit more about the symptoms that are going to be experienced, or observed, when a teen is dealing with depression. First of all, the teen may appear to be sad or hopeless. These symptoms will be a lot more severe than general sadness that is felt from time to time. Some teens may seem to be very irritable and angry when they are dealing with depression. However, you may notice that they are going to be tearful and they may cry on a regular basis. You will find that this crying may even vary between extreme anger.

If you had a once active teen and you now notice that he or she is no longer interested in the activities that they once enjoyed then you might want to consider the possibility that your child may be suffering from depression. There may also be changes in eating and sleeping habits. If you had a child that would eat well but now refuses to eat at all, he or she may be depressed. But, keep in mind that there are times when a depressed child may begin to overeat. You may also notice changes in weight because of these changes in eating habits.

There are times when teens are going to begin to have difficulties paying attention in the classroom. It may be difficult for them to get their work completed and they may struggle with keeping their grades up. You might even find that there are some teens that are going to start failing in their classes because they are not motivated to do their work or they are not able to concentrate long enough to do this. It can be very complicated to help your teen succeed when they are dealing with these struggles and you are not sure what is going on with them.

In some cases when the teen is extremely depressed, he or she may also have thoughts of suicide. He or she may consider harming themselves and they may even attempt to do so. When you know about this you should always take the necessary steps to ensure that your teen is safe. You may need to contact your primary care physician or you can even get your child into the hospital for an emergency evaluation.

Finally, it is very important to know that there are going to be some differences between teen depression and adult depression. First, you should remember that a teenager that is dealing with depression is going to be more prone to anger outbursts when they are struggling with this mental condition. They may not appear to be as sad as an adult would as they are going to seem to be angry and they may even have some angry outbursts. Next, the teen is going to be experiencing pain that cannot be pinpointed or that a cause cannot be found. This can be a red flag for many parents that are concerned about their children.

When a teen is depressed, he or she is not going to be able to accept criticism very well. They may seem to have their feelings hurt very easily. If you attempt to tell the teen something they may become very upset and they may even cry. If this is not normal for your teen then they may be dealing with depression. Adults that are depressed are going to be more likely to isolate themselves from most others. However, you will find that when a teen is depressed they are going to be more likely to isolate from certain individuals rather than from everyone. This is definitely different from adults that are depressed.

You have gone through your pregnancy and have given birth to your child, who is hopefully healthy and perfect. You’ve weathered through the first couple of weeks and survived the anxiety, irritation, and tearfulness that are so common during that time. However, you still feel down, or perhaps you don’t feel as loving towards your new baby as you thought you would. Perhaps you don’t even want to be alone with your newborn. It can feel so overwhelming, and you are probably frustrated with yourself for not handling the transition to parenthood better. Why can’t you just be happy with your baby who you looked forward to? The answer might be postpartum depression.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression that manifests in women after childbirth. Although it most often occurs in the three months immediately following delivery, the depression can pop up anytime in the first year. It is important to realize that postpartum depression isn’t a character flaw, nor does it mean that you don’t love your new baby. It’s simply a medical issue that sometimes arises after childbirth.

Causes And Risk Factors

While some blue days are to be expected after delivery, due to changing hormones, postpartum depression is a serious matter. There are some factors that make women more likely to experience postpartum depression, and they are as follows:

•  Age under twenty years
• Alcohol abuse, illegal drug use, or smoking
• The pregnancy was unplanned or you weren’t sure of your feelings about it
• Pre-existing mood disorders, such as anxiety disorder, depression or bipolar disorder
• During the pregnancy, you experienced a traumatic or stressful event or time period
• Financial difficulties
• Lack of support from family or friends
• Strained relationship (or lack of one) with significant other
• Close relative with depression

Symptoms of Postpartum

Postpartum depression has symptoms that are typical of other forms of depression. A persistent sad or unhappy mood is the most common symptom, but there are many more.

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep patterns (particularly trouble sleeping)
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Feeling alone and disconnected
• Lack of pleasure and interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering details
• Lack of energy, leading to not being able to accomplish tasks at home or work
• Significant anxiety
• Thoughts of suicide
• Negative feelings towards your child
• Lack of interest in your baby or intense worry
• Unable to care for yourself or your child
• Fear of being alone with your child
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your child

Thoughts of harming yourself or your child are certainly very scary, but statistically they are very rarely acted upon. However, it is important that you tell your medical doctor right away if at any time you have those feelings. If left undiagnosed and untreated, postpartum depression can last for months or years, and it might eventually progress to the stage of hurting yourself or your child. If you feel like you might hurt your child, please treat that as an emergency and seek immediate medical attention and help.

Diagnosis and Tests

If after reading the list of symptoms, you feel that you might have postpartum depression, please contact a health professional, preferably your personal doctor. While there is no single test that diagnoses postpartum depression, your doctor may have questionnaires for you to fill out. One such form is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Your doctor may also order blood work to screen for any medical conditions that can cause depression-like symptoms, such as hypothyroidism.

Treatment

Just as there is no single test to determine if you have postpartum depression, there is not just one course of action. You and your doctor will decide your best treatment path, which can include one or more of several actions. First, there is medication. Fortunately for breast-feeding mothers, there are several groups of depression medications that are safe to take while nursing, like Paroxetine and Sertraline. Therapy is another likely aspect to successful treatment. Your doctor will likely refer to you a mental health professional, such as a therapist, and you may need to be under supervision for six months of more. Two types of therapy have traditionally been effective for people suffering from postpartum depression, cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Other tips for successfully navigating your way through the painful experience of postnatal depression include asking for more support from your partner and family. You might also make time for yourself, away from the baby. Don’t try to make huge life changes or be too perfect, this will only exacerbate the feelings you have. Lastly, please don’t hide your struggle. Get it out in the open, whether you discuss it with your partner, friends or family, or you join a support group.

If you’ve had the baby blues for longer than two weeks and your life is being affected by your symptoms, please contact your doctor. Help is out there, and making that first step, while difficult, sets the ball rolling for positive change and growth.

Facts About Depression Medications

Not everyone who is diagnosed with depression needs to take medication. If you are wondering whether medication is the right choice for you, it is best to consult your medical professional. If, on the other hand, you’re moderately depressed, or severely depressed, then chances are, some medicine would probably help you quite a bit. Still, you may be a bit curious about some of those medications (commonly called “antidepressants”) and you may be wondering several things, like what the side effects are, and how long you’ll have to be on a medication. Of course, the answers to those questions vary somewhat from medicine to medicine, and obviously from patient to patient, but there are some similarities among all of them. Before we discuss those similarities, though, let’s first take a look at some of the different categories into which depression medicines can be grouped.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

This group of medicines, known for short as ”SSRI’s,” includes such popular drugs as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. These drugs are effective because many of the symptoms of depression are caused by a lack of adequate serotonin in the brain. Therefore, the fact that these drugs increase the amount of serotonin available in the brain means that they in turn will reduce the symptoms of depression. What’s more, these drugs generally have fewer side effects than their older counterparts. They do have some side effects, though, and the more common of these include irritability, trouble sleeping, headache, and appetite changes. Generally, the benefits of these medicines far outweigh the risks of these types of side effects. Not only that, the side effects usually go away after you’ve taken the medicine for a while.

Tricyclic And Tetracyclic Antidepressants

This category of antidepressant medications is often prescribed when other antidepressants are unsuccessful in eliminating the symptoms of depression. This is because they have a greater number of side effects, and therefore the benefits of these medicines need to outweigh those risks. The additional side effects to be aware of when it comes to this particular type of antidepressants include constipation, weight gain, drowsiness, headaches, dry mouth and dizziness.

Because of the necessary consideration of risk versus reward when it comes to this particular category of medications, they are typically only prescribed in severe cases, and usually never to older adults or people with low blood pressure or heart problems.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

These drugs are seldom if ever given to children or teenagers, and they are virtually never the first drug doctors will try in the treatment of depression, primarily because the side effects of MAOIs can be quite severe. Some of these side effects include high blood pressure, muscle twitching during sleep, lightheadedness, weight gain, and loss of sexual desire. Also, there are certain foods you should avoid if you’re taking this type of medicine, and these include some cheeses, some beans, and pickled foods. The reason you should avoid these types of food when taking MAOIs is that they make the blood pressure side effect even worse. For all their risks, MAOIs are quite effective in reducing the symptoms of depression, particularly in cases where unusual symptoms exist, such as weight gain and oversleeping. Some patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of other depression medications actually find themselves able to function better on these. If someone in your family has been successfully treated with this type of drug, then chances are it will be effective in your case as well.

How Long You’ll Need to Take Medication

When it comes to how long you need to take your depression medications, there are some good rules of thumb to follow both before and after you begin to feel better. First, don’t expect to feel better the day you start taking the medicine. It usually takes about one to three weeks for medication to work itself into your body to such an extent that you begin to notice any improvement. Still, if you have noticed no improvement at all after three weeks on your antidepressant, then you definitely should alert your doctor.

Assuming, however, that you have noticed some improvement after three weeks, don’t expect that to be all the improvement you notice, either. Usually, you notice even more improvement within six to eight weeks. Even when all of your symptoms are gone, it’s normal procedure to continue taking your medication for six months after that. If you’ve been depressed before, your doctor may want you to continue taking your medication even longer. Just don’t quit your medicine without talking to your doctor. He or she will probably want to taper you off of the medication gradually. The key thing to remember is that being depressed is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is possible to have a symptom-free life with the proper treatment.

What are the treatment options for depression?

When you are suffering from depression, it can feel overwhelming and hopeless. You might feel like you will never feel better, so what’s the point of going through the motions? But it is important to remember that even the worst cases of depression can be treated. With the right treatments and support, you can feel better. The road to feeling better won’t always be a smooth one, and sometimes you might feel like giving up, but if you keep working at it, you will find yourself out of the oppression of depression sooner than you might think.

Depression treatment can take many different forms. The key is to find what is effective for you, and it will most likely be a combination of the things in this list that follows:

• Therapy
• Medication
• Exercise
• Natural supplements
• Lifestyle changes

Therapy

Therapy is probably the most common treatment for depression. Even though you might automatically assume that therapy means you’ll be lying on a couch, telling a stranger about your childhood, the truth is that there are lots of different kinds of therapy. Sure, you may choose solo sessions, but group counseling can also be quite effective. The benefits to individual therapy include personal attention and a stronger relationship with your therapist. However, group counseling can be validating as you listen to others voice the inner struggles you also personally go through. You can hear tips from people who are farther along in the healing journey than you are, and you can assist others in their first steps. Therapy, and in particular talk therapy, is a tremendous component to successful depression treatment.

Medication

Medication for depression is quite popular. You see television commercials for it often. While depression often has a biological component (imbalance in the brain chemistry), medication does not simply wipe out the underlying problems of depression, though it may help alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms. Of course, for many people, depression medication gets them to a stable point so they can do the hard work of getting better through other options, like therapy.  Discuss any medication with your doctor and know what the side effects are.

Exercise

Exercise can surprise many people who are just starting to research depression and its treatment. While, like other avenues, it will not cure your disease on its own, it does play a valuable role.  Exercise increases endorphins, the release of which is often referred to as a high. Exercise further increases self-esteem, improves sleep patterns, reduces stress and wards off anxiety.  Add in the numerous health benefits and it is easy to see why exercise is often prescribed as a treatment for depression.

Natural Supplements and Vitamins

Many people have considered natural and herbal depression remedies. They are available over the counter and many report easing of symptoms after their use. However, the verdict is still out on their efficacy. Vitamins, minerals and herbs may be promising, but the research is still being conducted. If you do decide to try any natural supplements or vitamins, please take note of any side effects. Also, make sure your doctor is aware of everything that you take so they do not affect any of your other medications.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes may sound simple, but they really pack a powerful punch. While they won’t usually cure depression on their own, but they often can help ease depression symptoms. One common change you can make is nutrition. Good, healthy eating isn’t just important for your physical health, but it also plays a significant role in your emotional and mental health. Eating well keeps your energy up and minimizes mood swings.

Another change you can make is with your sleep. You cannot underestimate the importance of sleep. Similar to nutrition, sleep also has a profound effect on your mood and your general health. When you’re deprived of sleep, you are more irritable and moody.  When you don’t get enough sleep, your depression symptoms worsen, so try to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. It can be easy to ignore this aspect of your life, especially with today’s busy pace, but make sleep a priority.

When you’re depressed, the temptation is to withdraw from your friends and social circle. Unfortunately, with drawing from people who care about you will only exacerbate your condition, sadness and feelings of isolation. Make an effort to reach out and stay active. Social situations and support keep you from being isolated, and they keep you feeling that you have people in your corner.

In Closing….

Depression does not go away without some hard work – you must take action. With the help of your medical professional, friends and family, you can create a treatment plan to incorporate lots of different strategies. Whatever your journey, it is time to get started on the road to mental health.

What causes depression?

If you’ve just been diagnosed with clinical depression, there’s no doubt that your mind is racing. You’re most likely overwhelmed with thoughts like what caused this or what should you do now. Why did you get depression and someone else didn’t? You may be in the initial stages of treatment, or perhaps you haven’t even been diagnosed. Wherever you are in the journey towards positive mental health, one of the most confusing aspects of depression is figuring out what caused it. While there is no one single answer that fits everyone, there are several causes of depression that often pop up time and time again.

Roots of depression generally fall into two broad categories—physical and environmental. While it is certainly feasible to have the origin of your depression be one lone cause, this is not always the case. Many people who suffer from depression will have physical and environmental factors combining to form the basis for their disease.

Environmental Factors

This is a rather broad category, covering both cognitive events and experiences that you have. What follows below is a list of common environmental factors that increase the chances of depression:

• abuse, whether it is physical, emotional or sexual
• conflict, especially prolonged or with family and friends
• major events that uproot your life, both good and bad (getting married, moving, divorce)
• other personal problems like financial difficulties
• death or a significant loss

By no means is this an inconclusive list of environmental and cognitive factors. It is, however, a list of some of the factors that are consistently found in people with depression. Of course, the presence of these factors does not always lead to depression, either. For instance, everyone will experience grief, but that grief does not always mean that you will become depressed.

Physical Factors

Beyond brain chemistry and makeup, which we’ll cover in a separate section, there are several physical factors that can account for depression. Major illnesses are often the foundation for depression, though they can often simply co-exist with sicknesses. Sometimes, treating the depression can result in improvement in regards to the other illness, according to experts. Similar is the situation of substance abuse. The depression can be a factor in the choice to use illegal drugs, or it can be a result of the usage. A particular subset of depression occurs after giving birth, known as postpartum depression. Medication can sometimes have the unfortunate side effect of depression.

Perhaps the most discussed physical factor is genetics. Studies and experience have told us that there is often a hereditary aspect to depression that it gets passed down from generation to generation. The exact way depression gets passed down is still unknown and scientists are currently studying this. Of course, many people are diagnosed with depression every day who have no family history at all, but it is important to keep in mind any familiar history of depression.

The Biology and Chemistry of the Brain

As you may or may not have heard, researchers have discovered several differences in the brain of depressed people when compared with the brains of people who don’t have the disease. One of these notable differences is the part of the brain known as the hippocampus. The hippocampus is an area of the brain that is responsible for the storing of memories. The main difference observed is that people with clinical depression have shown to have a smaller hippocampus, which means that there are fewer serotonin receptors.

Why is this important?  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that allows communication between the nerves and the body. Serotonin has a calming effect. If you aren’t able to receive as much serotonin as others due to a lower number of serotonin receptors, you don’t get as much as the calming effect of the chemical, or so some experts state. Another neurotransmitter thought to be involved in depression is norepinephrine. Finally, the overproduction of cortisol is another factor researchers believe may result in depression, since it is believed that cortisol has a poisonous effect on the hippocampus.

With all the theories currently presented on brain chemistry and its relation to depression, we still have a lot to learn. Luckily, as medicine and science progress, so will the ability to scan and map the brain. Hopefully then the causes of depression will be able to be identified and more specific, personalized treatment paths developed.

No matter what the origin of your depression is, do not ignore the signs and symptoms of the disease. Hopefully you have already been officially diagnosed and have started treatment. If not, please get help from a medical professional immediately. Left unchecked, depression does not usually get better. Rather, it progresses and can last for years, often worsening. Suicide can be a devastating outcome of untreated depression. Knowing the cause of your depression does not cure you of it, but it can give you some power and control of the disease. The unknown and obtuse is always more difficult and fear-inducing than knowing what it wrong with you. So, take care of yourself, and keep up with your treatments.