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Personal Growth & Prosperity Coaching /
Short-Term Holistic Counseling

ARE YOU FEELING
DEPRESSED? . . . OR, DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?

By Dianne Ruth

July 18, 2002
KLZ 560 AM Radio Denver
Peggy Spiro Talk Show
(Resource Notes)

	During any six-month period, 9 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness.
	The number one cause of disability in women is depression, states a report by the World Health Organization.
	Studies indicate that depression occurs twice as often in women as in men, according to the American Psychological Association.
	Almost 15 percent of depressed people will commit suicide.
	By 2020, depression will be the number one disease and the second greatest single cause of disability and death in the world, especially among the elderly, predicts The World Bank and the World Health Organization.
	Most people with depression do not seek treatment.
	Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
	Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or years.
	Even those with the severest form of depression can be helped.

How do you recognize depression?

Major Depression is characterized by:

	at least two weeks of depressed mood
	loss of interest in most activities
	symptoms that cause distress in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
	children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad
	increased irritability or persistent anger and an exaggerated sense of frustration over minor matters
	at least four additional symptoms of depression (see below)

What are the symptoms of depression?

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms can also vary from one person to another. You may also review and print out "Depression Work Sheet."

Depression:

	depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
	diminished interest in nearly all activities
	fluctuating weight and/or appetite
	difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
	sleeping excessively
	feeling fidgety or restless
	feeling sluggish
	fatigue or loss of energy
	feelings of worthlessness
	feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt
	diminished ability to think
	difficulty concentrating
	indecisiveness
	recurrent thoughts of death
	recurrent thoughts of suicide

What causes depression?

The primary cause of major depression is unknown. The following list may identify some of the contributing factors involved:

	persistent stress
	the breakup of an important relationship
	feeling out-of-control
	low self-esteem
	pessimistic attitude
	may run in some families
	major loss such as career, job or business
	chronic illness
	difficult relationship
	financial problems
	forced change in lifestyle
	loss of a loved one
	a decline in physical or mental health
	substance abuse
	a side effect of some prescribed medications
	toxin exposure

Are there different levels of depression?

Depression is measured along a continuum ranging from mild to moderate to severe.

How is depression treated?

There are varieties of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders.

Recent (1999) research reviews indicate that psychotherapy is at least as effective as anti-depressant medications for mild to severe depression and is more effective in helping to avoid relapses.

Life Coaching/Holistic Counseling can usually offer even more dramatic and accelerated success toward recovery when combined with one or more of the powerful natural approaches to treating depression, such as:

	vitamins
	amino acids
	dietary supplements
	herbs
	nutrition
	vitamins and minerals
	fish oil
	homeopathy
	Bach Flower remedies
	acupuncture
	biofeedback
	exercise
	volunteer work
	body work
	more . . . .

Can people with depression help themselves?

When in combination with professional treatment, self-help can make a difference with your day-to-day feelings and progress.

	Avoid difficult tasks or responsibilities.
	Break large tasks into small ones.
	Don’t expect too much from yourself too soon.
	Try to be around others; it’s usually better than being alone.
	Do activities that make you feel better.
	Exercise; go out; participate in religious or social activities.
	Postpone making major life decisions, if possible.
	Recognize that feeling better takes time.

How can you help someone that is depressed?

	Help him or her to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
	Encourage the person to stay in treatment until the symptoms are resolved.
	If no improvement, help the person to evaluate and seek different treatment.
	If necessary, make an appointment for the person with a qualified professional and accompany them to their appointment.
	Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement.
	Listen to the person from your heart–listen fully, without distraction, without judgment and without criticism.
	Take any remarks about suicide seriously and report them to the person’s therapist or a suicide hotline.
	Do not expect the depressed person to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" and to "snap out of it."
	Continue to reassure the person that with time and help, they will feel better.

Is depression inherited?

Some people may inherit a tendency toward depression say experts. A recent study found that people who suffer from depression have fewer cells in a certain part of the brain.

Studies indicate that people who have a family member who has been or is seriously depressed have a 1 in 4 chance of having an episode of depression in their lifetimes versus a 1 in 14 chance for the general population.

Just because you might be vulnerable to suffering from depression does not mean that you’re doomed. Even if you do experience some depression in your lifetime, you can find many ways to overcome it.

There are numerous tools, and widespread knowledge at your disposal, that your family of origin may never have had. You are in a much better position to control your life.

Can depression be temporary?

Some depression may be more of the feeling sad or blues variety, otherwise known as mild depression. The effects may be enough to make you feel down, however, they may not totally fit the criteria of clinically diagnosed major depression.

Some causes may include:

	life changes
	relationship problems
	financial difficulties
	bereavement
	social isolation
	physical illness
	substance abuse

If the symptoms begin within two months of a stressful situation, and they don't create serious social or occupational impairment, and they clear up within two to six months, then you may have experienced situational or circumstantial depression.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal changes caused by lack of sunlight in the winter can also trigger depression. This can usually be helped with full spectrum lighting in your home and your work area.

Is there more than one type of depression?

	Major Depression
	Dysthymia†
	Bipolar formerly called manic-depressive (manic: excessive mental and physical activity--elevation of mood††

†DYSTHYMIC DISORDER is characterized by at least two years of depressed mood for more days than not, accompanied by additional depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.

Women are two to three times more likely to develop Dysthymic Disorder than are men.

Additional symptoms must include two or more of the following:

	poor appetite or overeating
	insomnia or hypersomnia
	low energy or fatigue
	low self-esteem
	poor concentration
	difficulty making decisions
	feelings of hopelessness

††BIPOLAR I DISORDER is characterized by one or more Manic or Mixed Episodes, usually accompanied by Major Depressive Episodes.

BIPOLAR II DISORDER is characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode.

Not everyone who is depressed or bipolar experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms can also vary from one person to another.

Mania:

	inappropriate elation
	excessive irritability
	serious insomnia
	grandiose notions
	increased talking
	disconnected and racing thoughts
	increased sexual desire
	poor judgment
	inappropriate social behavior

MOOD DISORDER DUE TO A GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITION. This depression is the result of a medical condition.

SUBSTANCE-INDUCED MOOD DISORDER. This depression is the result of drug or other substance abuse, a prescribed medication, another treatment for depression, or toxin exposure.

Traditional psychotherapy only has a 20 percent success rate. I have a 92 percent success rate, and over 33 years experience.

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addthis_pub = 'DrRuth'; Personal Growth & Prosperity Coaching / Short-Term Holistic Counseling addthis_pub = 'DrRuth'; ARE YOU FEELING DEPRESSED? . . . OR, DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?

Personal Growth & Prosperity Coaching / Short-Term Holistic Counseling

Personal Growth & Prosperity Coaching /
Short-Term Holistic Counseling

ARE YOU FEELING
DEPRESSED? . . . OR, DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?

Personal Growth & Prosperity Coaching /
Short-Term Holistic Counseling