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Everyone experiences the blues once in a while, which is why it's difficult to recognize real, clinical depression — a disease, not just a mood swing. It's a potentially life-threatening medical problem, and one that often affects caregivers. Fortunately, there’s help.
Under a Dark Cloud
Depression is a general feeling of sadness and disinterest in everyday life, ranging from mild to severe. "Depression, essentially, is a disease which causes people to give up hope," says Dr. Andrew Elmore, psychotherapist and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "It inhibits and limits a person's activities, mentally and physically. It interferes with what makes life worth living."
According to depression expert and cardiologist, Mehmet Oz, M.D., it may be brought on by both a chemical imbalance in the brain and psychological or emotional factors. Depression can be also triggered by ongoing stress, a major life change, as a side effect of certain medications or as a result of long-term physical illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer or even arthritis.
According to Dr. Rajesh Tampi of the Yale–New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, "I see symptoms of depression among people who are caring for loved ones at home all the time, and I consider it a major public health problem. Depression occurs among caregivers about 10 times more often than in the general population."
Sadness That Doesn't Go Away
If you or someone you know has more than four of these warning signs for more than two weeks, medical help may be needed:
- Persistent sad, anxious, numb or "empty" mood
- Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or guilt
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Crying more often than you used to
- Loss of interest or pleasure in people or hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down" or feeling sluggish
- Increased appetite with weight gain, or decreased appetite with weight loss
- Thoughts of self-injury or attempting to injure yourself
- Thoughts of death, suicide or suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability or nervousness
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions
- Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment, such as headaches, backaches, etc.
- Lack of motivation to do things anymore
Fighting Depression: There's Good News
Depression is very treatable with promising results. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be facing depression, contact your doctor. Psychological counseling is an effective treatment, and your doctor has several medication choices. Recent NIMH research on depression has shown that the combination of appropriate medication with counseling therapy, usually 6–8 sessions, brings the most effective relief.
The support of family and friends, positive lifestyle changes in nutrition and getting more physical exercise are also helpful. Depression support groups are also available in many communities. They can offer invaluable help, information and the friendship of others who have also struggled with the disease.
Depression is a serious disease that should be treated thoroughly, because everyone deserves to be happy.
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