Mood Disorders
Major Depression
The Most Important Facts:
- Depression is a treatable illness. Over 80% of the people treated for depression get better.
- Depression is an illness that one in five people will have during their lifetime.
- Depression affects all ages, races, economic groups and both genders. Women, however, suffer from depression twice as much as men do.
- Depression is frequently associated with drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism and other addictions.
- Depression is under-diagnosed. At least half of the people suffering from depression do not get proper treatment.
- Depression, if untreated, may lead to suicide.
- Depression is second only to heart disease in causing lost workdays in the USA.
What is Major Depression?
- Depression is a prolonged and persistent negative mood, which can adversely interfere with many aspects of one’s life.
- Depression is an illness, in the same way that heart disease is an illness.
- Depression is an illness that adversely affects the entire body, not just the mind.
Major Depression is not:
- Depression is not something of which to be ashamed.
- Depression is not a character flaw.
- Depression is not a bad mood that someone can "snap out of".
What are the Symptoms of Major Depression?
Depression manifests itself in four major ways: emotionally, physically, behaviorally and cognitively.
- Emotional Symptoms
- Hopelessness
- Helplessness
- Sadness
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Irritability
- Impatience
- Physical Symptoms
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Constipation
- Weight loss or gain
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Loss of sexual desire
- Behavioral Symptoms
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Withdrawal from people
- Loss of motivation
- Loss of interest in one’s physical appearance
- Loss of interest in activities which were once of interest
- Turning to drugs and alcohol
- Cognitive Symptoms (negative and self-defeating thoughts and beliefs)
- Thinking of oneself as a failure
- Low self esteem
- Criticizing oneself frequently
- Blaming oneself
- Being pessimistic about the future
What is the Cause of Major Depression?
- Genetics
- depression runs in families
- Brain chemistry
- Significant loss
- Stress
- Medical illness
- Feelings of helplessness in face of unfortunate events in life
- Disappointment
- Perceived failure
- Loss of work
- Absence of structure, daily routines and responsibilities
What is the Treatment for Major Depression?
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective in relieving the symptoms of major depression.
What to do if you Suffer From Major Depression?
If you think you need help, you have one of these options:
- Talk to your Primary Care Doctor
- Call the HIP Mental Health Center near you
- Call the HIP Mental Health Hot Line 1-888-447-2526
- You should also seek help if you feel you are "coming apart", no longer in control, turn to alcohol or drugs, feel lonely and isolated.
- Do not feel that you need to get through it on your own. It is time to get help!
- Realize that depression is an illness and just like other illness it requires treatment.
- Try to think about the cause of your depression.
- Be aware of your negative thoughts.
- Be kind to yourself. Praise yourself every time you accomplish a task.
- Focus on positive experiences and events.
- Be as active as you can.
- Exercise on a daily basis.
- Treatment takes time. Be patient with yourself and be consistent with your treatment. It is important that you take your medications as prescribed, come for followup visits and follow treatment requirements.
- Constantly remind yourself: You are not alone! It is not your fault that you are depressed!
- Low self-esteem, helplessness and hopelessness are symptoms of a depressed mood rather than an accurate perception of the reality!
- There is no shame in getting help!
- Help is available. More than 80% of the people treated for depression get better!
Information About Support Groups and Online Support
Support groups can be tremendously helpful to people who suffer from major depression. These groups can help in many ways. First, they convey the message that inspires of the feelings evoked by the illness, one is not alone. They also provide one the unique opportunity to meet and interact with others who suffer from the same illness possibly learn and their ways of coping with it. Finally, support groups can also provide important information about the illness.
- Mood Disorders Support Group of New York City (MDSG) - This is a non-profit, self-help organization that serves individuals with mood disorders and their family members. MDSG conducts support groups, discussion meetings, lectures and publishes a newsletter.
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Telephone: 212 533-6374
Mail: The Mood Disorders Support Group,
P.O. Box 30377
New York, NY 10001
E-mail: info@mdsg.org
Web Site: http://www.mdsg.org
- National Depressive and Manic-depressive Association (NDMDA) - NDMDA is a national organization with 275 chapters. This organization is dedicated to the mutual support and education of people with mood disorders and their families.
- Contact DBSA: Telephone: 800 826-3632
Mail: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance(DBSA)
730 N. Franklin,
Chicago, IL 60610
