Looking for Depression Advice? Depression is related to changes in the brain and it is due to an imbalance of a chemicals (neurotransmitters) that carries the signals between brain and nerves. It is not just a state of mind that can be turned around immediately.
What makes
depression occur?
1) Severe trauma and/or stress due to major problems such as finance, marital concerns, work.
2) Severe health problems such as cancer or heart problems when the body is weaker than normal and under more stress.
3) Problems such as substance or alcohol abuse, schizophrenia and anorexia and similar disorders.
4) The person has a naturally negative personality.
5) It may be hereditary.
Who is vulnerable? Women are more vulnerable than men and this is thought to be due to the hormone changes brought about by puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. Whilst the risk is lower in men it is often more severe and there is a stronger risk of it becoming a major problem as it is often concealed by alcohol or substance abuse can change the symptoms so that anger masks the normal conditions.
Depression can affect people in old age as they struggle to deal with the effects of physical disabilities and the loss of their dearest companions. Symptoms include
1) Regular tension, anger, irritability or sadness
2) Feelings of worthlessness and the things are hopeless and you are to blame
3) Changes and difficulties in sleeping.
4) Tiredness and energy loss without reason
5) Change in eating pattern
6) Decreased interest or loss of pleasure in activities, which have been important.
7) Lack of concentration and difficulty in making decisions
8) Thoughts of self-harm
Treatment This is a problem that is treatable and care must be taken to get the proper medical advice and to obey it to the letter.
1) Antidepressant drugs generally work well and they usually make the person feel better and can completely remove the problem. They do not work immediately and patience needs to be practiced, as it will take a few weeks to months to gain the full benefit. It is also necessary to keep taking the medication until your medical practitioner stops it.
2) Consultation or psychotherapy where an expert will discuss the problem with the person and progress the causes and get a plan to deal with them.
3) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment only for very severe patients carried out under general anaesthetic where an electrical charge is sent to the brain to cause a mini seizure. The treatment is usually carried out several times but is not as bad as it sounds and the results are immediate and can particularly help patients with self-harming tendencies.
Self-Help This is an area where it is possible to help yourself although this should be discussed with your medical support.
1) Set yourself targets, which are realistic and simple. Do not be too hard on yourself.
2) Do not take major decisions until you are better or improved.
3) Exercise at least 3 times a week. It is now thought that this seriously helps with a state of depression.
4) Do not drink alcohol as it can make depression worse and it also reacts with a large number of antidepressants. Substance abuse can often develop from depression.
5) Recognise the signs as prevention or early treatment can assist greatly.
6) There are self-help support groups and this can help enormously because the people at those groups have "been there and done it" and can offer personal advice. Ask your medical practice for the ones in your area.
Support in Supporting a person with severe depression can in itself be a most difficult job and requires patience and expertise. Find out what you can about the illness, get the person to take medical advice, see that they take their medication. Be supportive and encourage them to do things, which they enjoy. Do not put pressure on them.
Take time to come to terms with the illness it is not the person that is causing the problem so much as the illness and it takes time to resolve. Their anger is not meant for you. The depressed person should take the best medical advice and gradually take the steps that will remove the depressive state. Remember it takes time. If you are looking for a simple solution why not try my
7 Step Method
