Beating depression

By

The Ministry of Health

Most people will feel sad or miserable at some point in their lives. But usually we can cope and continue with our daily activities and the feelings pass after a few days or a week or two.

Someone is said to be significantly depressed or suffering from depressive illness when their feelings of sadness persist day in, day out for weeks at a time.

Many will interfere with their everyday functioning. At this point, they will need medical help and treatment.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED?

You may be suffering from depression if you have five or more of the following symptoms:

- Feeling unhappy most of the time.
- Loss of interest in life - can't enjoy everything.
- Hard to make decisions.
- Feeling tired all the time.
- Sometimes restless and agitated.
- Losing your appetite and weight (although some people put on weight - comfort eating).
- Having disturbed sleep, waking in the early hours of the morning.
- Losing interest in sex.
- Losing self - confidence.
- Feeling inadequate and hopeless.
- Avoiding others.
- Feeling irritable.
- Feeling worse at a particular time each day, usually the morning.
- Considering suicide.

Often people do not realise how depressed they are, because it has crept up on them so gradually.

Delay in seeking advice can have major consequences such as marriage breakups and losing jobs.

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

Many different factors play a part such as stressful events, physical illness and genetic vulnerability.

The end result is that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain leading to depression.

WHAT KIND OF HELP IS AVAILABLE?
The doctor can assess your condition, give counseling and depending on severity may start you on an antidepressant medication. If your illness is severe, they may refer you to a psychiatrist.

Antidepressant medicine helps 80% of people with depression, they work by correcting the chemical imbalance in the brain.

These medicines have a slow onset of action and it may be two to three weeks before any effect on mood is noticed. However it is still very important to take these medicines regularly, if you take them on and off or just when you feel down, they will not work.

It is important to note that these medications are not addictive.

Even when you feel better these medicines should be continued for at least a year to 18 months and then tailed off slowly. So if you are depressed, or know someone who has these symptoms, please see your doctor.

Source: Weekend 25 October 2008