'Depression Informational Section'
What is Depression?
The term depression refers to a lasting sad mood and/or the loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.
Causes of Depression:
There are many reasons why a person might become depressed, including traumatic life experiences
such as the death of a loved one, certain diseases or taking medications, substance abuse,
hormonal changes, or a family history of depression.
Sometimes the cause of depression is unknown.
The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:
Constant feelings of sadness, irritability,
or tension
Decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
Loss of energy, feeling tired
despite lack of activity
A change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
A change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping,
early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
Restlessness or feeling slowed down
Decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
Thoughts of suicide or death
Anxious
Low sex drive
Decreased concentration
Diminished memory
Easily irritated
Headaches
Digestive disorders
Depression Treatment Options:
The most common treatments are antidepressant medicines, "talk" therapy, or a combination of both.
You and your doctor can work together to decide on the right depression treatment for you.
Three phases of therapy also include:
Acute Phase - During the acute phase, the person starts taking medication, the symptoms of depression start becoming less severe and the person begins to feel better.
Continuation Phase - During this phase, the person continues to take medication to prevent depression symptoms from coming back.
Maintenance Phase - The purpose of this phase is to prevent another episode of depression.
In this phase, treatment that was effective during the acute and continuation phase should be used.
We hope our information will be of help to you and your loved ones.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS
