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Depression:
Key (Question & Answer)
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How can I tell if
I'm depressed or just sad?
Depression
is different from occasionally feeling blue. If feelings of unhappiness
are persistent and debilitating, interfering with your activities and relationships,
you may be clinically depressed. |
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What
is the most common symptom of depression?
Although depression has many symptoms, perhaps
the most common is altered mood. If you are suffering from depression, you
may experience profound sadness, anxiety, anger, irritability or apathy
(lack of emotion). You may also be pessimistic, discouraged, extremely sensitive
or subject to crying spells.
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How
common is depression among women?
Women are nearly twice as likely to develop depression
as men. As many as one out of every five women will experience depression
during her lifetime, with females between the ages of 18 and 45 accounting
for the majority of all cases of depression.
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What
causes depression in women?
Depression is likely caused by an imbalance in
neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals responsible for regulating mood.
Many mental health professionals believe that the hormonal changes that
commonly occur during the different phases of a woman's life may lead to
a depressive episode. These phases include menstruation, miscarriage, pregnancy,
childbirth, premenopause and menopause.
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Whom
can I contact to find out if I'm depressed?
Despite being a serious and common disorder, depression
is underdiagnosed. This is largely because many people are embarrassed to
seek help for the condition, which is unfortunate because it is usually
treatable. If you suspect that you are depressed, contact your primary care
doctor or a mental health professional who is qualified to diagnose depression.
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Will
my children develop depression because I have the condition?
Depression can be hereditary. The risk of depression
may be as high as 25 percent in children of patients with a history of the
disorder. Other first-degree relatives (parents, brothers and sisters) of
depressed individuals also have a greater risk of developing depression.
However, just because you're depressed doesn't mean that your children will
definitely develop depression.
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How
is depression typically treated?
Depression is generally treated with psychotherapy,
antidepressant medications or a combination of both. If you have a mild
form of depression, you may respond well to psychotherapy alone. However,
if you have moderate to severe depression, you'll probably also require
antidepressant medication.
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Do antidepressants
typically produce side effects?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
the newest class of antidepressant medication, produce fewer side effects
than the older antidepressant drugs. Patients may still experience side
effects such as drowsiness, nausea, anxiety, insomnia and stomach upset.
However, these often subside after your body gets used to the medication.
This generally takes about a month. You should never stop taking antidepressant
medication without first speaking to your doctor. If you continue to experience
unpleasant side effects, he or she may adjust the medication dosage or prescribe
a different medication.
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Are
antidepressant medications safe to use during pregnancy?
To date, there is not much reliable research on
the effects of antidepressant medications on a developing fetus. Therefore,
most health experts agree that women should discontinue use of antidepressants
during the first three months of pregnancy if possible. The effects of antidepressants
on nursing babies are also unknown. So experts recommend that women taking
antidepressants bottle-feed rather than breastfeed their infants.
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What
does psychotherapy involve?
During psychotherapy, the patient discusses depression
and any related issues with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist,
psychologist or clinical social worker. Such a professional can help a depressed
individual find better ways to cope, solve problems and set realistic goals,
as well as manage suicide risk if there is any.
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