Depression
Introduction
In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8
million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness5 The economic cost for
this disorder is high, but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated.
Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and
suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care
about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of
the ill person. But much of this suffering is unnecessary.
Most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment, although the
great majority-even those whose depression is extremely severe-can be
helped. Thanks to years of fruitful research, there are now medications and
psychosocial therapies such as cognitive/behavioral, "talk" or
interpersonal that ease the pain of depression.
Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that depression is a treatable
illness. If you feel that you or someone you care about is one of the many
undiagnosed depressed people in this country, the information presented here may
help you take the steps that may save your own or someone else's life.
WHAT IS A DEPRESSIVE DISORDER?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and
thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about
oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the
same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a
condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness
cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without
treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment,
however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other
illnesses such as heart disease. This pamphlet briefly describes three of the
most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are
variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see
symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and
enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may
occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term,
chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from
feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive
episodes at some time in their lives.
Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called
manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive
disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe
highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic
and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an
individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in
the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a
great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social
behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the
individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might
range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated,
may worsen to a psychotic state.
Next: Symptoms of Depression and Mania »
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