7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

1/15

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

2/15

I feel tired and achy all the time. I cant concentrate

and my body just doesnt feel right. Ray B.

I dont want to get out of bed in the morning and I

dont feel like eating. Nothing interests me anymore,

not even spending time with my grandchildren.

Mary P.

I feel so angry and irritable. Little things set me off.

I snap at people at work and yell at my wife and kids

at home.

Henry S.

My husband died over a year ago but I still feel

terrible. I just cant seem to move on with my life.

Susan O.

I cant live with this despair and emptiness anymore.

I feel so helpless and hopeless. I feel like dying, just to

get away from the pain.Christine B.

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

3/15

1

o any of these feelings sound familiarto you? At least one out of every fivepeople visiting a doctor complains of theseor similar feelings. Sometimes, for noreason they know of, people feel anxious,

irritable, or sad.Emotional distress and upheaval cansometimes be brought on by stressful lifeevents such as the loss of a loved one,problems on the job or at home, medicalillnesses, or a problem with a relationship.

Even positive life events, such as ajob promotion, the birth of a child, orgetting married, can cause distress andmood changes. These feelings may go awayby themselves within a couple of weeks ormonths, and may not have much effect on a

person's life. But, if these feelings don'tgoaway, they may be a sign of an illness calledclinical depression.

D

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

4/15

2

hat is Clinical Depression?

Clinical depression is a medical conditionthat affects a person's mood, thoughts, behavior,and body. It changes the way a person feels,thinks, and acts. Things that used to be easy orenjoyable, such as spending time with family orfriends, reading a good book, or going to the

movies, take more effort. Even basic things likeeating, sleeping, and sexual activity can become aproblem.

Clinical depression is more than just a caseof bad nerves, the blues, or the blahs. From timeto time, and throughout our daily lives, we all feel a

little sad, blue, or edgy. Usually, we soon beginfeeling better, perhaps after hearing some goodnews or visiting with a friend. But, with clinicaldepression, unhappy or anxious feelings andthoughts don't go away. They are present almostall of the time. If not treated, depression canseriously affect your work, your personal life, and

the lives of your family and friends.Whether you have a temporary mood

change or clinical depression, your doctorunderstands the connection between your physical,emotional, and mental health. Your doctor canhelp you sort out your feelings and take the nextstep towards getting better.

W

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

5/15

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

6/15

4

evels of Clinical Depression

Clinical depression may be mild, moderate,or severe. Some people may experience symptoms

very intensely for a few weeks or months, whileothers may have less severe symptoms that can lastmany months or years. People with severedepression may have difficulty getting out of bedand caring for themselves, and may have frequentthoughts about death, or even a wish to die.Effective treatment helps people get their energyand hopefulness back.

hat Causes Depression?

Scientists have studied depression for manyyears and have concluded that many factors areinvolved. These factors fall into several categories:biochemical, hereditary, physical, medical, andpsychosocial.

Biochemical: Researchers have discovered thatwhen people are depressed, their brain chemistrychanges. During the depression, certain "brain

hormones," called neurotransmitters, are not presentin the brain in the right amounts. This chemicalimbalance causes both physical andemotional changes.

Hereditary: Researchers have also discoveredthat clinical depression tends to run in families.

So, if you have a relative who has suffered fromdepression, you may also experience depression.Remember, not everyone who has a close relative

with depression gets clinically depressed. If youhave some questions about this, talk with your doctor.

L

W

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

7/15

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

8/15

6

on't Blame Yourself!

Depression is nota personal weakness, apersonality flaw, or laziness. Don't blame your-self for becoming depressed or experiencing anyof the symptoms of depression. Your symptomsare part of a medical illness. While you can'tcontrol whether you become depressed, you can

seek treatment for it.

ow Long Does It Last?

Although some people recover naturallyfrom clinical depression, many suffer withdepression for weeks, months, or even years.Clinical depression can be acute, lasting forseveral weeks or months, or chronic, lasting forseveral years. How long depression lasts dependson the severity of symptoms, whether and when

someone seeks treatment, and personal factors.Research shows that appropriate treatment candramatically speed recovery from depression.People who are treated are also less likely tobecome depressed again in the future.

D

H

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

9/15

7

etting Help

Sometimes, the idea of needing to get helpfor depression is hard to think about, especiallyif

you are feeling hopeless. The idea of gettingprofessional help for depression may seemembarrassing to you. Some people think thattaking alcohol, street drugs, or tranquilizers will

make them feel better. In fact, these substancesmake depression worse.There can be other barriers to getting the

help you need. For example, your family andfriends may believe that you should be able to "get

yourself together" and "snap out of it." Clinicaldepression is a medical illness, and like other

medical illnesses, it is not fully within your control.Getting the right treatment is the key to recovery.

The first step in getting the right help fordepression is talking to your doctor. Make sure totalk about any symptoms you are experiencing(especially the ones described in this booklet).

Your doctor will help determine if you suffer fromclinical depression, and help you choose the kind oftreatment that is best for you. Taking thisimportant first step will guide you onto the roadto recovery.

G

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

10/15

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

11/15

9

change negative thoughts and beliefs, and learnhow to develop a more positive outlook. You alsolearn how to improve your relationships and

incorporate more positive activities into your dailylife.

Psychotherapy may begin working rightaway, or it may take a few weeks to show beneficialeffects. There are no physical side effects associated

with psychotherapy.

Antidepressant Medications

Antidepressant medications are also used totreat clinical depression. These medications areespecially necessary for treating severe depression,but can be helpful in treating mild and moderatedepression as well. These medications help tobalance the chemicals in your brain. They improvesleep, raise your energy level, and return yourappetite to normal. It may take you a few weeks tofeel better on these medications. Your symptoms,medical history, and family history provide important

clues about which specific antidepressant medicineis the most appropriate for you. Your doctor will

work with you on selecting the medication that ismost beneficial and makes you the most comfortable.

Antidepressant medications are notaddictive.These medications may, however, have somephysical side effects. Your body will usually adjust

to antidepressant medication within a week or two.If not, your doctor will change your medication toreduce any side effects you experience.

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

12/15

10

hy Get Help?

Treatment can help free you from thesadness, despair, and isolation caused byclinical depression. No matter how bad thefeelings and thoughts associated with

depression are, there is hope. Clinicaldepression is a treatable medical illness.

Treatment can help you to feel better, andhelp return you to a happier, more fulfillinglife.

W

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

13/15

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

14/15

NOTES

RAND1700 Main Street, P. O. Box 2138

Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 Copyright 1996 RAND

7/28/2019 MR1198.11.pdf

15/15

Overcoming my depression has been the greatestchallenge of my life. Im still recovering, but Icontinue to get stronger, and it is this strength that has

been my reward.David L.

My treatment has helped me to think out a lot of

things before reacting, especially when it comes toanger, and to understand that depression is a real

problem and that Im not making it up.Liz R.

Before, I was just barely clinging to life. Themedication and the therapy have kept me alive.

Laura B.

Some days, I couldnt get out of bed. I didnt knowwhy I felt that way. Now, thanks to my doctor, I getup and walk every day, Im active in my church andneighborhood, and plan to stay that way.

Anita P.

In the depth of winter, I finally learned thatwithin me there lay an invincible summer.

Albert Camus

Copyright 1996 RANDMR-1198/11-AHRQ