| |
| |
|
Depression Information |
|
|
|
Depression: What It Is and What You Can Do About It
There are three basic ways to treat depression: psychotherapy, self-help, and medication. Many people respond best to a combination of two or more methods. Psychotherapy: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking, and learning new ways of thinking and behaving, with the guidance of a professional. Self-help: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking on one's own. Medication: Altering one's brain chemistry by taking antidepressant medication. A physician may recommend medication when four conditions exist: The patient's depression is severe. The patient has suffered at least two previous depressive episodes. There is a family history of depression. The patient asks for medication only and refuses psychotherapy. There are four types of antidepressant medication available today: ? Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) ? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) ? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ? Structurally unrelated compounds The TCAs and MAOIs have been used for decades. The SSRIs (such as Prozac) and structurally unrelated compounds are newer and are being prescribed more and more frequently. They have fewer and less pronounced side effects than the TCAs and MAOIs. Treatment without Medicine One of the leading methods for treating depression is cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapists help depressed clients feel better by identifying how faulty ways of thinking are making him or her feel bad. The client analyzes his or her thoughts and beliefs, and learns to substitute more healthy ways of thinking and believing. Many mental health professionals believe that the ideal treatment of clinical depression is medication in conjunction with psychotherapy. Prevention of Depression Depression can often be prevented. It is especially important to take preventive action if you are aware that you have predisposing factors such as those mentioned in the last newsletter. Identify your risk factors and be aware of where you are vulnerable. Each of us has unique risk factors, such as things we were taught in our families of origin, values we have learned, and the presence or absence of a family history of depression. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned and replaced with something healthier. Learn to manage stress. You can learn proven techniques for calming and relaxing yourself. Consider taking a stress management class or buying a set of relaxation tapes. Learn problem-solving skills. Many people who develop depression never learned problem-solving skills. They need to develop the ability to see problems from many viewpoints and to look for a variety of solutions. Build your life around things you can control. Learn to recognize what you can control and what you can't. Avoid spending much effort on situations that won't pay off for you. Learn self-acceptance. Instead of rejecting the parts of yourself you don't like, learn to manage them more productively. Become aware of selective perception. Observe how you generate ideas and opinions about people and events. Remember that these are just your views, not necessarily objective facts. Focus on the future, not the past. Depressed people tend to be focused on the past. People who set goals and focus on the future tend to be more positive about life. Develop a sense of purpose. Many depressed people lack a sense of purpose or meaning. This means they have no goals and nothing in the future drawing them forward. To prevent depression, develop your sense of purpose and meaning. Strengthen your emotional boundaries and set limits. Boundaries define your role in a social situation. They determine how you will or won't behave in a given situation. Having clear, strong boundaries is empowering, while boundary violations make you feel victimized and helpless. Setting limits means having and enforcing rules for the behaviors you expect in a relationship. Build positive and healthy relationships. Think about what you need from others in relationships. Learn to read people and trust your instincts about which people are good for you. Avoid isolation. Talk to others about what's going on with you. If you keep your thoughts to yourself, you may be unaware that your thoughts are distorted. If you share them with another person, you can become more objective. Signs That Professional Therapy Is Needed Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately. When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help. Acute responses to events are normal, but they should not last beyond a reasonable time. Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level. You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to test reality. Seek someone out to share your thoughts and feelings with. Depressive symptoms have become severe. Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. Garrett also offers online and telephone counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or at 201-303-4303.
MORE RESOURCES:
Depression - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Change Your Life Forever with New Medical Breakthrough Treatment for Depression With the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to issue its final approval of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent depression. The approval of vagus nerve stimulation will be the first ever FDA approved long-term treatment option for the four million desperate Americans( and their families) who have not had an adequate response to traditional anti-depressants. Depression is a Choice There is one very simple reason for all emotional depression.In a recent article entitled "Intelligent Emotions" I discussed how the feelings of "happiness" and "saddness" emerge spontaneously from within one's Self with every decision one makes for themselves in their lives. Depression Help & Support Groups For those who face depression, every day of their lives may seem like a struggle. A struggle to get up, a struggle to face the day and the people involved and it can be a struggle to make the most of the day. Are you suffering from Depression? Millions of people sufferaround the world from a depressive illness. They think that depression is just a normal occurrence in their lives, which will go away after a short while. Depression - Causes and Treatments Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of morally weak minded individuals. However, new research clearly shows that depression has distinct biochemical roots that affect the way nerve cells work. A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications While it may be easy to recite the various brand names and generalize their benefits enough to know they put us (or are supposed to put us) in a better mood, for lack of a better term, the drugs themselves can all be categorized individually, each working in a slightly different way.The following is a list and very brief description, by category, of depression and anxiety medications currently prescribed by physicians. A Simple Cure For Anxiety And Depression Our innate desire is to be happy, and when we move away from it, we experience fear.This fear is actually millions of years old, for it arises from the biological programming of our species. 5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away. Depression And Celiac Disease Depression is a condition which affects about 15% of the population. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Depression Keeps 19 Million Adults From Being Productive Approximately 19 million American adult workers allow depression to limit their productivity. According to the American Medical Women's Association, this includes 5 million women, many of whom will quit or loss their jobs directly due to the depression. Depression Treatment: Depression Would Be Second Largest Illness by 2010! World Health Organisation states one out of four worldwide suffer from various forms of mental, behavioral, and neurological disorders. Are you one of them?It has also been estimated that depression would be the second largest illness by 2010 keeping in mind its pace by which it is affecting people world over. Ten Tips For Beating Depression I heard about a woman who was suffering from depression, so her concerned husband took her to a psychiatrist. The doctor listened to the couple talk about their relationship, and then he said, "The treatment I prescribe is really quite simple. How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago when Phil, her boyfriend of 9 years, broke-up with her. It was a difficult moment for her especially after she learned that Phil eventually married her cousin. Depression The 'experts' have tried to evaluate me as a sufferer of this but found no such evidence or behavior. The same was true for all other mental or medical conditions, so they think 'witch' covers my condition in life; because I refuse to participate in the materially managed environment any more. Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students Everyone feels down or blue once in awhile. Especially during difficult times, it's normal to feel sad or discouraged. Suicide Prevention: 12 Universal Laws The Law of PermanenceSuicide is always a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Always. Everyday I have the Blues: A Medical Intuitive look at Depression It may come in waves, it may control our lives. Depression is something that many of us struggle with. Depression: 14 Universal Laws for Recovery The Law of BlueJust sort of feeling blue, kinda out of it, gets confused with being depressed. We all get the blues from time to time, and they pass. Psychiatrist Begin Training About Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression The manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator has begun face-to face meetings with psychiatrists nationwide to educate them about vagus nerve stimulation therapy, how it works and for whom this treatment is indicated. It is very important that both you and your psychiatrist fully understand vagus nerve stimulation therapy so that you can make an informed decision together about this ninety-minute out-patient implant procedure. FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression On July 15th, 2005, the U.S.
|
| home | site map |
| © Care Online 2006 |