Post by Mel on Jan 27, 2006 12:01:00 GMT -5
Coping with depression is explained here in this article.
Depression is a problem that is everywhere. More and more people are being identified as depressed and are treated with drugs and talk therapy. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, five of the following symptoms, for a period of at least 2-weeks may produce the diagnosis of clinical depression:
1. A Mood that is down, sad, meaningless, or irritable for the major portion of the day.
2. Less interest in pleasurable things.
3. Weight gain or loss to exceed 5% of the body weight.
4. The inability to sleep, or the propensity to sleep all the time.
5. Noticeably slow thinking and processing, or an agitated state.
6. Loss of energy everyday.
7. The feeling that an individual has no worth, or continual guilty feelings.
8. The inability to make decisions or concentrate .
9. Suicidal thoughts and ruminating on death.
It is simple enough to look at the criteria and identify there is a problem. But dealing with the illness beyond that is a difficult process. Many individuals have difficulty accepting depression as an illness, and the thought of taking medication for a lifetime is offensive.
Talk therapy is extremely expensive and the disparity among practitioners can be mind-boggling. What is the difference between a licensed professional counselor, a social worker, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist. Are there options outside of traditional treatments. Actually the prospect of getting treatment can be overwhelming, and to someone who is depressed this often results in paralysis of action. The outcome is more depression.
The first step to dealing with depression is to assess for yourself where you are in the disease. Is the depression making it impossible for you to function in your work, or at home? Have your personal habits declined severely such as eating, bathing, or attending to your physical appearance? Are suicidal thoughts superseding all other mental images? If the answer is yes to any of the above, you are in crisis and should approach a professional. That can be a general practitioner or primary care physician to start with. This individual can prescribe anti-depressants, and refer you onto mental health practitioners.
Regardless of what prejudices exist concerning depression. It is recognized as a disease. Some people may accept it as a chemical imbalance, a mental problem, or a spiritual issue. The fact remains that this condition makes it impossible for people to function. To develop understanding of the condition and options in treatment is going to require research and personal commitment.
Initially a person may assess what is least objectionable in terms of treatment. Start with the treatment with which you are most comfortable.
Talk therapy may be the least objectionable route, and is a rational place to begin. The practitioners that were listed earlier are quite diverse. The differences in these professionals stem from the backgrounds that initiated each branch of mental health practitioners. Licensed counselors evolved from school guidance programs. Social workers have sprung from the hospital environment. Psychologists and Psychiatrists are descendants of the traditional psychoanalytical therapist ,and the medical approach to treating mental disorders. The training programs of each of these differ significantly and approaches are colored by the discipline that therapists choose, but ultimately a good counseling relationship depends on the compatibility of two people. Just as two people may not be compatible as friends, a therapist and a client may not be harmonious in counseling. Regardless of training, an individual must seek out a counselor that he/she is comfortable with and can build trust and rapport with quickly.
After consulting a mental health professional, it is very likely an individual will be prescribed anti-depressants. It is necessary to be an advocate for the self in this situation. There are many side affects with these drugs such as weight gain, reduced sexual drive, dry mouth, insomnia, lethargy, excitability, infiltration into breast milk, as well as many more. Which drug is right will need to be a shared decision between a doctor and a patient. It is important to ask many questions and do personal research. Aside from anti-depressants there may be a hormonal deficiency, a pregnancy, or a thyroid condition that is causing the symptoms of depression. These questions need to be addressed in the process of prescribing drugs.
Some individuals may seek alternative healing resources when dealing with depression. St. John’s Wort is the most popular herb used to treat mild depression, but this is not effective for all people. Many will develop sun sensitivity, and skin rashes from this treatment. Other remedies include Kava Kava (also anti-anxiety), Calm’s Forte, and the homeopathic remedy of Pulsatilla. A herbal healer, naturopath, or homeopathic practitioner should be consulted in these situations to avoid dangerous herbal or drug/herbal combinations.
Still others will view this as a spiritual issue and will speak with pastors, rabbis, or spiritual leaders. As with all remedies for depression, an individual should be informed about the professional that is counseling/advising. Is the spiritual counselor knowledgeable about mental health issues? Have other people sought help from this spiritual leader and been satisfied with the results? Lastly, is the beliefs and approaches to dealing with depression in sync with the client’s approach.
No matter what approach a person seeks when dealing with depression, it is important to consider the options and be informed. It may include questioning friends who have struggled with the depression. It may require research on the internet, or at the library. Ultimately the individual is responsible for his/her treatment, and must be comfortable with the methods taken toward mental health. The outcomes will be much more positive if the individual is informed, and secure with the route taken.
Depression is a problem that is everywhere. More and more people are being identified as depressed and are treated with drugs and talk therapy. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, five of the following symptoms, for a period of at least 2-weeks may produce the diagnosis of clinical depression:
1. A Mood that is down, sad, meaningless, or irritable for the major portion of the day.
2. Less interest in pleasurable things.
3. Weight gain or loss to exceed 5% of the body weight.
4. The inability to sleep, or the propensity to sleep all the time.
5. Noticeably slow thinking and processing, or an agitated state.
6. Loss of energy everyday.
7. The feeling that an individual has no worth, or continual guilty feelings.
8. The inability to make decisions or concentrate .
9. Suicidal thoughts and ruminating on death.
It is simple enough to look at the criteria and identify there is a problem. But dealing with the illness beyond that is a difficult process. Many individuals have difficulty accepting depression as an illness, and the thought of taking medication for a lifetime is offensive.
Talk therapy is extremely expensive and the disparity among practitioners can be mind-boggling. What is the difference between a licensed professional counselor, a social worker, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist. Are there options outside of traditional treatments. Actually the prospect of getting treatment can be overwhelming, and to someone who is depressed this often results in paralysis of action. The outcome is more depression.
The first step to dealing with depression is to assess for yourself where you are in the disease. Is the depression making it impossible for you to function in your work, or at home? Have your personal habits declined severely such as eating, bathing, or attending to your physical appearance? Are suicidal thoughts superseding all other mental images? If the answer is yes to any of the above, you are in crisis and should approach a professional. That can be a general practitioner or primary care physician to start with. This individual can prescribe anti-depressants, and refer you onto mental health practitioners.
Regardless of what prejudices exist concerning depression. It is recognized as a disease. Some people may accept it as a chemical imbalance, a mental problem, or a spiritual issue. The fact remains that this condition makes it impossible for people to function. To develop understanding of the condition and options in treatment is going to require research and personal commitment.
Initially a person may assess what is least objectionable in terms of treatment. Start with the treatment with which you are most comfortable.
Talk therapy may be the least objectionable route, and is a rational place to begin. The practitioners that were listed earlier are quite diverse. The differences in these professionals stem from the backgrounds that initiated each branch of mental health practitioners. Licensed counselors evolved from school guidance programs. Social workers have sprung from the hospital environment. Psychologists and Psychiatrists are descendants of the traditional psychoanalytical therapist ,and the medical approach to treating mental disorders. The training programs of each of these differ significantly and approaches are colored by the discipline that therapists choose, but ultimately a good counseling relationship depends on the compatibility of two people. Just as two people may not be compatible as friends, a therapist and a client may not be harmonious in counseling. Regardless of training, an individual must seek out a counselor that he/she is comfortable with and can build trust and rapport with quickly.
After consulting a mental health professional, it is very likely an individual will be prescribed anti-depressants. It is necessary to be an advocate for the self in this situation. There are many side affects with these drugs such as weight gain, reduced sexual drive, dry mouth, insomnia, lethargy, excitability, infiltration into breast milk, as well as many more. Which drug is right will need to be a shared decision between a doctor and a patient. It is important to ask many questions and do personal research. Aside from anti-depressants there may be a hormonal deficiency, a pregnancy, or a thyroid condition that is causing the symptoms of depression. These questions need to be addressed in the process of prescribing drugs.
Some individuals may seek alternative healing resources when dealing with depression. St. John’s Wort is the most popular herb used to treat mild depression, but this is not effective for all people. Many will develop sun sensitivity, and skin rashes from this treatment. Other remedies include Kava Kava (also anti-anxiety), Calm’s Forte, and the homeopathic remedy of Pulsatilla. A herbal healer, naturopath, or homeopathic practitioner should be consulted in these situations to avoid dangerous herbal or drug/herbal combinations.
Still others will view this as a spiritual issue and will speak with pastors, rabbis, or spiritual leaders. As with all remedies for depression, an individual should be informed about the professional that is counseling/advising. Is the spiritual counselor knowledgeable about mental health issues? Have other people sought help from this spiritual leader and been satisfied with the results? Lastly, is the beliefs and approaches to dealing with depression in sync with the client’s approach.
No matter what approach a person seeks when dealing with depression, it is important to consider the options and be informed. It may include questioning friends who have struggled with the depression. It may require research on the internet, or at the library. Ultimately the individual is responsible for his/her treatment, and must be comfortable with the methods taken toward mental health. The outcomes will be much more positive if the individual is informed, and secure with the route taken.