Depression: Brief Version

What is depression?

Depression is a big change in your moods. You may feel sad and blue, even hopeless. You may not be interested in things you like to do. You may also have trouble eating, concentrating, and getting things done.

If these feelings last for 2 weeks or more, you may have a depression that needs treatment. If you are not treated, the depression can last much longer or become more serious.

What is the cause?

No one knows just what causes depression. It may happen because the brain chemicals you need to feel good are not balanced. It may happen more often in some families.

You may also feel depressed because you:

• have lost a loved one
• have a medical illness
• are taking a medicine or drug that can cause depression
• have recently had surgery
• use alcohol or drugs.
• have lots of stress that you cannot control.

As you get older, there may be a higher chance of being depressed if there are changes in the way you live. This may happen if you:

• retire
• move to another home
• have to live on less money
• have less support from friends and family.

Other things can cause depression as you get older as well. You may:

• lose someone you love.
• have a chronic illness.
• have a disease of the brain called dementia.

What are the symptoms?

You may have depression if you have 1 or both of these 2 symptoms most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks:

• You feel sad or blue. You may cry, feel tense, upset, or easily bothered.
• You are no longer interested in things you normally like to do.

If you have major depression, you will also have at least 4 of the following symptoms.

• You do not feel like eating and have lost weight. Or you may want to eat more often and have gained weight.
• You have trouble sleeping or spend more time sleeping.
• You feel tired and do not have any energy.
• You feel nervous and restless.
• You have less desire for sex.
• You feel bad about yourself or guilty.
• You have trouble thinking clearly.
• You find it hard to remember things.
• You think about death or hurting yourself. You may even plan or try suicide.

You may have a hard time getting along with your friends or family. It's hard to feel good about yourself and others when you are depressed.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will:

• Listen to how you feel. He or she may also talk with someone close to you.
• Examine you.
• Ask about your medical history and about drug and alcohol use.

Your provider may also do some blood tests.

How is it treated?

You need to get help. You may need counseling and medicine.

Counseling can give you the support you need. It can help you feel less like you are out of control.

• Your counselor or therapist can help you see how you look at things.
• You can learn to see why and how you have negative thoughts and feelings.
• You can learn to change the way you think and feel.

Medicines will usually start to help you feel better in about 3 to 6 weeks.

• You should take the medicine for at least 6 to 12 months. This will help keep depression from coming back.
• Do not stop taking your medicine until you and your health care provider decide you are ready. Your provider will then lower your doses over time. It is not a good idea to stop all of a sudden.
• You may need to keep taking the medicine for a long while or even for the rest of your life.

If you get treatment early, you probably won't have to go to the hospital. But, it may be a good idea to stay in the hospital if:

• You want to hurt yourself or someone else.
• There are too many problems to face at home. It can be hard to get well if things are too stressful or hectic at home.
• You cannot take care of yourself at home.
• You have no support at home.

How long will it take to get well?

If you don't get treated you may be depressed for a long time. The depression may keep coming back. If you do get the help you need you should feel better in a few weeks. If you get depressed again, call your health care provider or counselor right away.

The medicine may cause some side effects. Tell your health care provider about any problems you may have with the medicine.

How can I take care of myself?

Make sure you take your medicine and get counseling.

You can also:

• Find out what activities make you feel better. Do those things.
• Join a support group. Do not spend too much time alone.
• Talk to your family and friends.
• Ask for help with your work when you need it.
• Set limits if people expect too much from you.

It can also help to:

• Eat healthy foods.
• Stay away from alcohol or drugs.
• Exercise at least 3 times a week.
• Sleep 6 to 8 hours per night.
• Find time to relax every day.
• When you have stress, try to breathe deeply.
• Think often about the good things in your life. Trust that things will work for your good.
• Learn new and better ways to take care of problems.

Before you use any kind of medicine:

• Tell your health care provider if you take medicine for depression.
• Tell your health care provider if you have ever been treated for depression.
• Make sure the new medicine you need to take will not make your depression worse.

If you feel that you could hurt yourself or someone else:

• Call your health care provider or counselor right away.

If you would like more information:

• Call the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) toll-free at 1-800-826-3632. Or visit online at http://www.dbsalliance.org.
• Call the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) toll-free at 1-800-969-NMHA. Or visit online at http://www.NMHA.org.