Over 19 Million American Adults Suffer From Depressive Illnesses

Symptoms of Depression Can Include

  • Persistent sad or "empty" mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
  • Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping)
  • Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  • Irritability
  • Excessive crying
  • Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment

Symptoms of Mania Can Include

  • Excessively "high" mood
  • Irritability
  • Decreased need for sleep
  • Increased energy and activity
  • Increased talking, moving, and sexual activity
  • Racing thoughts
  • Disturbed ability to make decisions
  • Grandiose notions
  • Being easily distracted

Depression with Other Illnesses

Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, though it is fequently unrecognized and untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since depression is usually treatable, even when it co-occurs with other disorders.

Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurence of depression with another illness should discuss these issues with the physician.

With available treatment, 80 percent of the people with serious depression--even those with the most severe forms--can improve significantly. Symptoms can be relieved, usually in a matter of weeks.

There are effective medications and psychotherapies(talk therapies) treatments that often are used in combination. In severe depression, medication is usually required.

A number of short-term talk therapies to treat clinical depression have been developed in recent years. Several types of medications are available, none of them habit-forming. People with severe depression respond more rapidly and more consistently to medication. Those with recurring depression, including bipolar disorder, may need to stay on medication to prevent or lessen further episodes.

Many patients need psychotherapy to deal with the psychological or interpersonal problems often associated with their illness.

Other biological treatments can be helpful. For example, electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) is a safe and often effective treatment for the most severe depressions. Research is also being done on the use of light for the treatment of depression.

Early intervention may lessen severity of symptoms and shorten the episode. Individuals respond differently to treatment. if after several weeks symptoms have not improved, the treatment plan should be re-evaluated.

Individuals respond differently to treatments. If after several weeks symptoms have not improved, the treatment plan should be discussed with the doctor.