Depression Part 1

 

When I retired I looked for a volunteer job in my community. I settled on the local mental health resource center. I was interested in this as my grandfather had been an alcoholic and my husband’s mother had suffered from bipolar disorder. In this role I teamed with a sufferer of depression to speak about this condition. I talked about it from a clinical perspective and he as a first hand experience.

 

What Is Depression

 

Depression is an illness. This is critical to understand. Depression is an illness not a weakness. It is as serious as other illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, pneumonia, etc.

 

Depression is common. It affects everyone regardless of their social standing. In Canada it affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men. In 2016 the National Institute of Mental Health reported that 6.7% of U.S. adults suffered from depression. In this article I will rely mostly on Canadian figures as I am more familiar with them.

 

Depression is treatable. Although it is a fatal disease 15% of people with untreated depression will commit suicide. However 80% of all people can be effectively helped.

 

Depression Verses The Blues

 

Everyone gets the blues from time to time. Clinical depression affects the total person/body, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Depression is an illness that interferes with the ability to work and interact with people including family members.

 

Some people experience it only once, others may experience recurrent episodes – depression varies from person to person.

 

Signs of Depression

 

• A depressed mood becomes an illness when it:
• Persists for at least two weeks
• Deepens or worsens
• Starts interfering with work and everyday life.
• Results in no interest or pleasure in nearly all activities
• Sadness/irritability
• Change in weight/appetite
• Guilt/hopelessness
• Inability to concentrate
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Loss of interest in all activities
• Sleep disturbances
• Restlessness
• Physical pains and aches with no medical causes
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Four of these signs in addition to the depressed mood for at least two weeks are an indication of clinical depression.

 

Implications of Depression

 

Personal implications of depression often express themselves in other disorders such as drug or alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and physical illnesses.

 

Depression can adversely affect family relations. It is often very misunderstood by others. There is still a tendency for many people to view the limitations associated with depression as more subjective and less associated with major chronic medical conditions.

 

Financial implications not only affect the family but also the general economy. As of 2016 the Conference Board of Canada reported that depression costs the Canadian economy at least $32.3 billion a year. In 2000 psychiastrist.com estimated the cost in the United States for depressive disorder was at $83.1 billion. These costs were up from the 1993 figures that estimated a U.S. cost of $24 billion and Canada of $2-3 billion in worker absenteeism, and diminished productivity.

 

15% of people with untreated severe depression commit suicide.

 

Treatment of Depression

 

Although approximately 50% of depression goes untreated it is highly treatable. Four out of five suffers can be successfully treated.

 

It appears that women will seek help much more readily than men. The latter are apt to feel they can handle it themselves. Men tend to think they are exhibiting a weakness. It is reported that they have more feelings of shame.

 

It cannot be stressed enough that depression is a fatal disease. 15% of untreated people will commit suicide.

 

It is important for people suffering from depression to seek help and seek it earl in their illness. Depression can be treated.

  Image from Pixabay.