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Depression
Depression can be triggered by a life event such as the loss of a job, the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one, or other life stresses like a major deadline, moving to a new city or having a baby.
Sometimes it seems not to be triggered by anything at all. One of the most important things to remember about depression is that people who have it can’t just “snap out of it” or make it go away. It’s a real illness, and the leading cause of suicide.
Could I have depression?
- I feel worthless, helpless or hopeless
- I sleep more or less than usual
- I’m eating more or less than usual
- I’m having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- I have less desire for sex
- I avoid other people
- I have overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief
- I’m feeling unreasonably guilty
- I have a lot of unexplained stomachaches and headaches
- I feel very tired and/or restless
- I have thoughts of death or suicide
- I’m feeling more tearful or irritable than usual
If you agree with five or more of these statements and have been experiencing them for more than two weeks you should talk to your doctor.
Who does it affect?
Depression can affect anybody, at any time, but it does seem to strike most often when a person is going through changes. Changes can be negative life changes such as the loss of a loved one or a job, regular life changes such as starting university or a big move, or physical changes such as hormonal changes or the onset of an illness.
Because depression can be linked to change, certain groups of people are at risk more often than others:
Women: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, dysthymic disorder and SAD. But bipolar disorder seems to affect men and women equally.
Young people: While mood disorders can affect you at any time in your life, many people start to experience symptoms in their teens and twenties. Many people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder between the ages of 15 and 19.
Family members: Having a close relative who has a mood disorder increases your risk of having one.
People who experience substance use problems: Some substances can cause a mood disorder, trigger an episode of mania or depression or make a mood disorder worse.
People living with other health and mental health problems: People with long-term health problems like cancer, AIDS, heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to experience depression. People living with an anxiety disorder or eating disorder are also more likely to experience depression. [Source: cmha.ca]
What can I do about it?
Depression is very treatable. With the right treatment, about 80% of people no longer feel any symptoms at all. Some common treatments, used on their own or in combination, are:
Counselling: The most common forms of counselling for people living with a mood disorder are cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy:
Cognitive-behavioural therapy [CBT]:CBT is the most common therapy treatment for mood disorders. CBT helps you understand the relationship between your mood, thoughts and behaviours. It also teaches skills like problem-solving that may help prevent symptoms from coming back in the future.
When you’re depressed, your relationships with others often suffer. Interpersonal therapy can teach you skills to improve how you interact with other people.
Medication: Depression is usually treated with a group of medications called antidepressants and bipolar disorder is usually treated with a group of medication called mood stabilizers. You may also be prescribed other medications for psychosis or anxiety.
Electroconvulsive therapy: Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT may help people who experience severe depression or bipolar disorder, particularly when treatments like counselling and medication haven’t helped. Treatment is done in the hospital, and it involves passing an electrical current through the brain for a few seconds while you’re under general anesthesia. Modern ECT is very safe, fast-acting and effective.
Light therapy: People who experience SAD may find light therapy helpful. Light therapy uses a special kind of light that’s much brighter than indoor lighting. But this may not be a good option for everyone, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before you start light therapy.
Self-management: There are some things you can do on your own to help keep you feeling better. Regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and keeping a consistent sleep schedule, managing stress, spending time with friends and family, spirituality and monitoring your use of alcohol and other substances can help manage mood problems.