Depression

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that in any given one-year period, approximately 20.9 million Americans will suffer from a depressive illness (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml). Even with the large amounts of information and research available to help treat depressive disorders, many sufferers do not seek treatment. As a result, most of these people live their lives struggling with a disorder that affects not only themselves, but also their families and loved ones.

At Immune Recovery and Wellness, P.C., we offer many holistic and natural ways to counter depression and the effects of depressive disorders. Whether talk therapies or herbal supplements are needed, we provide a wide array of services structured to help depressed people recover their love for life and for the things they most care about. For more on complementary and alternative medicine, please click here. Or, to schedule a consultation with a member of our professional staff, please click here.

What is Depression?

Depressive disorders are illnesses that affect a person's body, mood and thoughts. Though the persistency and severity of depression varies from person to person, symptoms typically remain for weeks, even months and years. Depression affects sleep patterns, eating habits and the manner in which a person regards him/herself and the world around him/her. Below is a list of symptoms common to depression. Keep in mind that not everyone who is depressed will experience every symptom, and the severity in which a person experiences their symptoms will also vary.

decreased energy, fatigue;
incessant sadness, anxiety or "empty" mood;
feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness;
feelings of pessimism or hopelessness;
problems with concentration, decision-making and remembering;
problems controlling eating habits (weight loss or gain due to appetite-loss or overeating);
irritability or prolonged restlessness;
loss in interest/pleasure in activities once enjoyed, like a hobby or sex;
sleeping disorders, like insomnia or oversleeping;
suicide-related thoughts or actions;
physical problems that don't respond to conventional treatment, such as headaches, chronic pain and digestive problems.

Mania is related to depression, but involves high "highs" as opposed to low "lows." Someone who suffers from bipolar disorder (see below) typically expresses symptoms of both depression and mania in alternating cycles. Symptoms of mania include:

increases in irritability, talking, energy and/or sexual desire;
abnormal or extreme elation (a feeling or state of great joy or pride, exultation or high spirits);
racing thoughts;
poor judgment;
decreased need for sleep;
social behavior that is unfitting, inappropriate or uncalled-for (can cause embarassment or serious problems);
having an exaggerated notion of one's own importance, "delusions of grandeur."

Types of Depression

As with any illness, depression can be classified into different types, based on the symptoms involved. Each type, however, can also vary in its intensity and consistency over time.

Major: a disabling form of depression in which a person is rendered unable to enjoy once-pleasureable activities, or to eat, sleep, work or study in her/his normal manner. Major depression typically occurs in "episodes," which can last for varying periods of time and can occur once, or more, in a person's lifetime.
Dysthymia: less severe than major depression, dysthymia is often characterized by chronic, long-term symptoms that keep a person from feeling good or funtioning well. While the symptoms do not disable the sufferer, it is very common for someone with dysthymia to have major depressive episodes.
Bipolar Disorder (or manic-depressive illness): occurs less frequently than the other two forms of depression. It is characterized by cycles of severe lows (depression) and highs (mania). Switches in moods can be rapid or gradual, though most sufferers exhibit gradual cyclic changes. If not treated, mania can lead to a psychotic state.

Causes of Depression

Biological: studies show that depression may often be inherited, passed along from generation to generation. People who are genetically predisposed to depression (especially bipolar disorder or major depression) may experience a stressful period that "triggers" a depressive episode. It is thought this is due to a change in brain function or structures brought on by stress.
Physical Illness: changes to a person's physical body have been shown to cause changes in their mental well being. People who experience strokes, cancer, heart attacks, Parkinson's disease and/or hormonal disorders can have depressive episodes. Often, this causes them to become apathetic and unwilling to care for their own physical needs, and can make recovery difficult. However, other unwelcome or unexpected stressful life change (such as financial issues, a serious loss or relationship problems) can be triggers to depression as well.
Poor self-image: people prone to depression also show greater tendencies to have low self-esteem, often view themselves and the world with pessimism and/or are easily overwhelmed by stress. Researchers are unsure whether these tendencies are early-onset depression, or if some people are just psychologically predisposed to such attitudes.

Effects of Depression According to Gender and Age

Women are twice as likely to experience depression as men. This is thought to be caused by hormonal and/or physical changes due to menstruation, pregnancy, pre-menopause, menopause, postpartum and miscarriage. Women are also facing increasing pressures due to the combined responsibilities of work and home lives, single parenthood, and child and elder care.

There are approximately 6 million men with diagnosed depression in the United States. Researchers are quick to point out that men are less likely to report depressive symptoms, but have a suicide rate four times greater than that of women (though women more often attempt suicide). Depression may be difficult to identify in men, as they often mask symptoms by using alcohol, drugs or longer work hours. Men also often express depression through anger, irritability and discouragement, as opposed to helplessness or hopelessness.

Depression in children is receiving greater attention and study in recent years. Because growing children pass through many behaviors as a normal part of maturing, it is often difficult to tell if a child is actually depressed or just going through a temporary "phase." Younger children suffering from depression may refuse to go to school, pretend to be ill, exhibit worry that a parent might die and/or cling excessively to a parent. Older children may be negative and grouchy, feel misunderstood to or experience problems or cause trouble at school. A child's pediatrician should be able to determine if symptoms are related to normal physical changes or if some type of therapy or medication might be needed. Before beginning any therapy program, parents are encouraged to do their research on the therapist and/or any medication prescribed.

Among the elderly, it is often assumed that depression is a normal part of aging. However, it is more common for them to feel satisfaction and fulfillment in their later years. Research has shown that most older people are more willing to discuss physical symptoms of depression than to admit to feeling sadness, grief and hopelessness. Some symptoms can be linked to side effects of medication. However, recent studies are showing that even brief talk-therapies have great effect in diminishing the symptoms of depression, even in medically-treated, older adults.

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Depression