What is depression: basic facts and treatment

At times when a person experiences a period of sadness, i.e. they can feel blue or “down” this can be a normal occurrence, especially if some traumatic event, such as the death of someone close to them has occurred. Eventually, this sad feeling does dissipate, and life basically will resume to normal.

It is when such sad episodes tend to last longer than what is considered a normal amount of time that special care needs to be taken in order to determine if these reoccurring feelings are a result of what is known as clinical long-term depression. This will usually require the consultation and treatment of a professional health care person qualified in administering the proper medical and psychotherapeutic treatment for depression.

If someone is inactive, shows little interest in his/her surroundings, may sleep a lot, normal activities are no longer enjoyed then these obvious signals are an indication that something is wrong, and that some form of psychotherapy is in order.

Depressed people tend to feel like “failures” or “inadequate” or “unworthy.” Particularly, when major negative changes have taken place in their lives, such as if someone loses a job, either through being laid off or through a job termination.

And often why counseling should be an important consideration in order to help a person become aware of what emotional ramifications may result when some major negative change takes place in their lives, such as the source of income being stopped.

Also, added to these feelings, a person may suffer some sense of guilt, derived from the fact that he/she is no longer unemployed, and consequently is unable to fulfill his/her financial responsibilities. Coupled with that, this may also produce feelings that one has now become a burden to the family or a significant other, as he/she is unable to carry his/her part of the load.

Determining the severity of a bout of depression is important. Feeling sad can come and go, and probably won’t require professional intervention. But when this state of “sadness” continues, or reoccurs on a regular basis, then it is time to think about what treatments are available, and to take the necessary steps to obtain the proper treatment.

If the depression is biochemical, i.e. an imbalance may be the cause then certain medications such as an antidepressant may be required and prescribed. This chemical imbalance can produce what is known as “mood” swings that can often throw a person into a depressed state of mind. These mood swings can be the result of various outer or inner influences.

Glandular malfunctions, such as hypothyroidism can bring about symptoms of depression. Supplementing the chemical the thyroid usually produces has proven to be a beneficial treatment to not only returning the thyroid levels in the body to normal levels, but also alleviating the associated symptoms, one being depressive state of mind.

Even the propensity toward low blood sugar can bring on or aggravate a depressive state of mind. In this case, by closely monitoring one’s diet, avoiding sugars and those foods that can affect blood sugar levels can be an important factor in thwarting the onset of a bout of depression.

Basic treatment for depression usually will involve taking certain prescribed medications, i.e. antidepressants, and perhaps even tranquilizers, as anxiety can often accompany a depressive state of mind.

Also, through a period of cognitive therapy one can then work with his/her therapist to begin to reevaluate his/her life, which is an important step in treating this condition. Through this type of therapy one learns how to develop better social skills that will result in a more positive interactions with others. This will help them improve their relationships with others as this kind of interaction is essential particularly for those who suffer depression as it will help him/her establish some support system while they are being treated for this illness. Also by engaging in more enjoyable activities, this will result in a more positive attitude toward life in general.

Through this therapy one also is made aware of those things in his/her past that may have influence or helped to develop a depressive type personality. This can happen especially if they tend to possess a co-dependent behavior where focus is constantly on others rather than themselves, and may as a result lose touch with their own feelings. Knowing these feelings, what they are, and what they mean is essential as to whether or not the therapy will be successful.

The total approach as described above can and in most cases will at least help alleviate the symptoms of those who suffer from long term depression.