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What is Depression?
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.
It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and
the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing
blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed
or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves
together" and get better. Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million
American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given
year. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that depression is a treatable
illness. So most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment, although the great majority—even those whose depression is extremely severe—can be helped. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks,
months, or years!
FREE Depression Booklet!
If you would like to receive a free copy of Depression – A Common and Treatable
Problem, please call CUP at (360) 891-1520, (800) 315-7862, TDD (360) 449-8860
or Toll Free TDD (866) 287-9962. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m.
FREE Workshops!
Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions
Whether you have depression or asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure, there are
ways to overcome the physical and emotional problems caused by these chronic conditions.
By managing your symptoms, you can still get the most out of life. CUP’s Living
a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions workshop will provide you with the skills
to manage your symptoms and help you take control of your health.
Learn how to control depression by:
- Managing your symptoms
- Developing nutrition and exercise plans
- Working effectively with your doctor
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Using medications and minimizing side effects
- Setting goals and using action plans
- Finding and using community resources
Register today! Call CUP at (360) 891-1520, (800) 315-7862, TDD (360) 449-8860 or
Toll Free TDD (866) 287-9962. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. All workshop participants get a free copy of the Living a Healthy Life with
Chronic Conditions book!
How to Get Help for Depression
- Make the first phone call to schedule an appointment. You may feel too tired or upset to seek treatment. But, make this first phone call. Explain your symptoms. Your doctor may give you a physical exam. The exam will show if physical problems are causing your symptoms.
- Follow the advice of your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with the mental health professional.
- Take your medicines the right way.
CUP is Here to Help You!
If you have questions about your benefits for depression services, please contact CUP at (360) 891-1520, (800) 315-7862, TDD (360) 449-8860 or Toll Free TDD (866) 287-9962. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Links
Depression: General Fact Information
- 80%-90% of those who seek treatment for depression can feel better within just a few weeks
- Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States
- Depression affects almost 10% of the population, or 19 million Americans, in a given year
- During their lifetime, 10%-25% of women and 5%-12% of men will become clinically depressed
- The economic cost of depression is estimated to be over $30 billion each year
- Two-thirds of those who are depressed never seek treatment and suffer needlessly
- Research on twins suggests that there is a genetic component to the risk of developing depression
- Research has also shown that the stress of a loss, especially the death of a loved one, may lead to depression in some people
- Depression can quadruple a person's risk of dying within 6 months after a heart attack.
- Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to physical illness.
Depression in Women
- Depression is the leading cause of disability in women.
- Depression in women usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 44.
- 7 million women in the United States are clinically depressed.
- 1 in 5 women will develop clinical depression over the course of her life.
- Only 1/3 of depressed women will seek professional help.
- About 10% of women will experience postpartum depression after childbirth. Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression.
Depression in Men
- Though women experience depression twice as often as men, men are three times more likely to commit suicide.
- Suicide is most common among men who are separated, widowed, or divorced.
- Retired and unemployed men have a higher chance of developing depression.
Symptoms of Depression
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. The severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you may have depression.
- In the past month, have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- In the past month, have you felt down, depressed or hopeless?
- Have you had a change in appetite or weight?
- Are you sleeping too much or too little?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating?
- Feel tired, weak or low in energy?
- Think or talk about suicide?
How is Depression Diagnosed and Treated?
The most common ways to treat clinical depression are medication, talk therapy, or both. The choice of treatment may depend on:
- How severe the symptoms are
- The history of the illness
- Helping Yourself
- What you, as the patient, prefer
Your provider will talk with you about your life and symptoms to help determine if you are experiencing depression. Other tests of your general health may also be done to rule out any underlying problems. It is important to give as much information about how you are feeling to your provider. If you prefer, bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. This person can provide you with support and help to answer questions related to your symptoms.
Millions of Americans have depression, but no one is just like you. You and your provider will work together to find the treatment that is right for you and best meets your needs. Sometimes the provider will try a variety of antidepressants before finding the most effective medication or combination of medications. This is common. But if you stick with it, you can feel better!
Medication
The most commonly used medications for depression are called antidepressants. They are not habit-forming, but they do take several weeks before you will begin feeling better.
It is important to know:
- It could take 2-4 weeks to notice an effect from the medications
- You should continue therapy even if you are feeling better
- Take the medications as prescribed
- Check with your practitioner before stopping medication use
- Call your practitioner if you have questions
- See your provider 3 times within the first 3 months of treatment
Give Medications Time to Work
Although some improvements may be seen in the first few weeks, antidepressant medications must be taken regularly for 3 to 4 weeks (in some cases, as many as 8 weeks) before the full therapeutic effect occurs.
Keep Taking Your Medications
Don’t stop taking your medication too soon even if you feel better and think you no longer need the medication. It is important to keep taking medication until it has a chance to work, though side effects may appear before antidepressant activity does. Once you are feeling better, it is important to continue the medication for at least 6 to 9 months to prevent a recurrence of the depression.
Never stop taking an antidepressant without consulting your provider for instructions on how to safely discontinue the medication!!!
For individuals with bipolar disorder or chronic major depression, medication may have to be maintained indefinitely. Antidepressant drugs are not habit-forming. However, as is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more than a few days, antidepressants have to be carefully monitored to see if the correct dosage is being given. Your provider will check the dosage and its effectiveness regularly.
Common Side Effects
The side effects of antidepressants often subside in a few weeks. Side effects may include:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Drowsiness
- Sexual problems (Some antidepressants may affect your sexual functioning. This includes your desire for sex and ability to orgasm. If you experience this side effect, talk with your provider. Changing your medication or dosage can relieve sexual side effects).
Talk Therapy
People who have depression find it helpful to talk to their PCP or a mental health professional to learn ways to solve problems.
With depression, people tend to do better when they go for counseling AND take antidepressants. Talk to your provider to find the best type of treatment for you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The following links have been selected to assist CUP members in finding additional information about behavior-related disorders. Just click on any of the links for information about the following topics:
Depression Health Center
An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression. Here you'll find in-depth information about depression symptoms, medications, and therapy. Plus, find daily help in our online support groups.
http://my.webmd.com/
Mental Health Center
Mental health disorders affect an estimated 22% of American adults each year. Here you'll find in-depth articles on mental health care, conditions such as depression and anxiety, and promising new treatments. Plus, get daily help in our online support groups.
http://my.webmd.com/
ADD/ADHD Health Center
ADHD affects an estimated 3% to 5% of children and adults in the U.S. Get information here about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including its causes, diagnosis, and promising treatments -- from medication to behavioral therapy.
http://my.webmd.com/
Bipolar Disorder Health Center
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 2 million American adults have bipolar disorder, a severe brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.
http://my.webmd.com/
Panic and Anxiety Disorders Health Center
Anxiety and panic disorders affect an estimated 2.4 million Americans. Panic attacks are twice as common in women as in men. Find in-depth articles here about anxiety, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and effective treatments.
http://my.webmd.com/
Parents MedGuide.Org
As the parent or guardian of a child or teen-ager with clinical depression, you may be aware of the recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to attach a cautionary label, or "black box warning," to all antidepressant medications used to treat depression and other disorders in children and adolescents.
The American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have prepared a guide offering practical advice to parents of children and adolescents struggling with depression. Click on the link below and select ParentsMedGuide to read the guide.
http://www.parentsmedguide.org/
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious medical condition that can develop sometime in the first few months after childbirth. Without treatment, PPD can be prolonged and disabling. PPD is very common, affecting 1 in 8 women during the first months after childbirth. PPD can also strike after miscarriage, stillbirth, and adoption.
In rare cases, a woman with postpartum depression also develops psychotic symptoms that endanger herself and others (postpartum psychosis).
http://www.webmd.com/
Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you are depressed during the shorter days of winter but feel happier and more energetic in spring and summer, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that affects you at the same time each year, usually in the fall or winter. But as the days lengthen in spring and summer, the depression lifts.
http://www.webmd.com/
Schizophrenia Health Center
Schizophrenia affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans each year. Here you'll find in-depth articles on schizophrenia drugs and other treatments, as well as its causes and symptoms.
http://www.webmd.com/
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