Depression is a common but treatable illness. If you’re depressed, you may feel worthless, hopeless and constantly tired. In most cases, if you have milder depression, you can probably carry on but will find everyday tasks difficult. If you have severe depression, you may find your feelings so unbearable that you start thinking about suicide.
About one in 10 of us develops some form of depression in our lives, and one in 50 has severe depression. It affects not only those with depression, but also their families and friends. The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most depressed people make a full recovery. These are some of questioned often asked by our clients on depression.
My friend is sad. Does he suffer from depression?
Sadness can be normal (as a result of sad events) or a symptom of a psychiatric illness. Sadness in depression cannot be explained only by sad events. Low mood is there most of time for at least for two weeks. It is often accompanied by feeling of tiredness or agitation, loss of interest and loss of ability to enjoy, sleep disturbance (mostly decreased sleep, sometimes increased sleep), decreased or increased appetite (comfort eating), negative thoughts about self, life or future. There is low self-esteem, hopelessness and (sometimes) suicidal thoughts.
Can I get better without treatment with my own will power?
Mild depression can get better by exercise, support by friend and family, structure and changes in life.
Can I get better without antidepressants?
Mild to Moderate depression can get better with psychological help called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
What is CBT? Can I do CBT myself?
CBT is type of psychotherapy in which patient learns to recognize and change negative way of thinking. It is suitable for patients who are willing, committed to work on their way of thinking. There are self-help books and computer programmes for CBT. Online CBT is getting popular although it cannot replace CBT administered by trained therapist.
Are medications effective in treatment of depression?
Yes. Antidepressants are an effective treatment of depression. This is proved particularly in case of moderate and severe depression by research studies Q. Are antidepressants addictive?
I have been prescribed antidepressant by my general practitioner but my depression is not getting better?
If you have been rightly diagnosed as depression then you would need an antidepressant in therapeutic dose you need to take this medicine for atleast 2-3 weeks to see any improvement. If your depression does not get better then dose of antidepressant needs to be increased further. Some time people respond to change in antidepressant.
I feel that taking antidepressant means that my mind is weak?
Depression does not mean that your brain is week. Depression can occur to any body. It is an illness like other illnesses for example hypertension(high blood pressure) and would need treatment.
How do antidepressant work?
Their action leads to increased availability of some chemicals in brain called neurotransmitters e.g. Serotonin, Norepinephrine etc.
