Depression: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

There are three basic ways to treat depression: psychotherapy, self-help, and medication. Many people respond best to a combination of two or more methods.

Psychotherapy: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking, and learning new ways of thinking and behaving, with the guidance of a professional. Self-help: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking on one's own. Medication: Altering one's brain chemistry by taking antidepressant medication.

A physician may recommend medication when four conditions exist:

The patient's depression is severe.

The patient has suffered at least two previous depressive episodes.

There is a family history of depression.

The patient asks for medication only and refuses psychotherapy.

There are four types of antidepressant medication available today:

? Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

? Structurally unrelated compounds

The TCAs and MAOIs have been used for decades. The SSRIs (such as Prozac) and structurally unrelated compounds are newer and are being prescribed more and more frequently. They have fewer and less pronounced side effects than the TCAs and MAOIs.

Treatment without Medicine

One of the leading methods for treating depression is cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapists help depressed clients feel better by identifying how faulty ways of thinking are making him or her feel bad. The client analyzes his or her thoughts and beliefs, and learns to substitute more healthy ways of thinking and believing.

Many mental health professionals believe that the ideal treatment of clinical depression is medication in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Prevention of Depression

Depression can often be prevented. It is especially important to take preventive action if you are aware that you have predisposing factors such as those mentioned in the last newsletter.

Identify your risk factors and be aware of where you are vulnerable. Each of us has unique risk factors, such as things we were taught in our families of origin, values we have learned, and the presence or absence of a family history of depression. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned and replaced with something healthier.

Learn to manage stress. You can learn proven techniques for calming and relaxing yourself. Consider taking a stress management class or buying a set of relaxation tapes.

Learn problem-solving skills. Many people who develop depression never learned problem-solving skills. They need to develop the ability to see problems from many viewpoints and to look for a variety of solutions. Build your life around things you can control. Learn to recognize what you can control and what you can't. Avoid spending much effort on situations that won't pay off for you.

Learn self-acceptance. Instead of rejecting the parts of yourself you don't like, learn to manage them more productively.

Become aware of selective perception. Observe how you generate ideas and opinions about people and events. Remember that these are just your views, not necessarily objective facts.

Focus on the future, not the past. Depressed people tend to be focused on the past. People who set goals and focus on the future tend to be more positive about life.

Develop a sense of purpose. Many depressed people lack a sense of purpose or meaning. This means they have no goals and nothing in the future drawing them forward. To prevent depression, develop your sense of purpose and meaning.

Strengthen your emotional boundaries and set limits. Boundaries define your role in a social situation. They determine how you will or won't behave in a given situation. Having clear, strong boundaries is empowering, while boundary violations make you feel victimized and helpless. Setting limits means having and enforcing rules for the behaviors you expect in a relationship.

Build positive and healthy relationships. Think about what you need from others in relationships. Learn to read people and trust your instincts about which people are good for you.

Avoid isolation. Talk to others about what's going on with you. If you keep your thoughts to yourself, you may be unaware that your thoughts are distorted. If you share them with another person, you can become more objective.

Signs That Professional Therapy Is Needed

Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately.

When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help. Acute responses to events are normal, but they should not last beyond a reasonable time.

Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level.

You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to test reality. Seek someone out to share your thoughts and feelings with.

Depressive symptoms have become severe.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. Garrett also offers online and telephone counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or at 201-303-4303.

---

Antidepressants: Control or Cure?

What's curious is that most of them will be on... Read More

Depression is a Choice

There is one very simple reason for all emotional depression.In... Read More

I Love You, I Hate You But Dont Go: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

It amazes me that 6-10 million Americans have been diagnosed... Read More

Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do... Read More

Acidity Depresses Thyriod Function

THE RISKAccumulation of acids in your body, due to insufficient... Read More

5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression

Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives.... Read More

New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure

On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More

How to Uncover the Reason You Cant Sleep Tonight

If you are like me ...you love your sleep!Sleep deprivation... Read More

Are You Someones Puppet? Four Ways People Manipulate Others

With the current interest in mental health topics, a mental... Read More

Aspartame and Your Mental Health

In 1965, a chemist working to develop an ulcer drug... Read More

Seven Steps to Good Mental Health

Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right... Read More

Suffocate

I felt cold, my body was stiff and my back... Read More

ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought

"Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly. He... Read More

What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety, and...

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle,... Read More

Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression

Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young... Read More

Are you suffering from Depression?

Millions of people sufferaround the world from a depressive illness.... Read More

Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression Published in Journal

On September 1st, the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve... Read More

Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?

It is now no secret that people all over the... Read More

Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference at the... Read More

Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood

Looking to improve your mood?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author... Read More

Mood Disorders And Depression

We all suffer with bad moods from time to time.... Read More

What About Drugs for Anxiety and Depression?

As a counselor, I am often asked, "Can drugs be... Read More

Natural Treatment for Depression - Is There An Alternative?

Many people who are suffering from mild to moderate depression,... Read More

Hurricane Recovery: Steps to Start Putting Your Life Back in Order

It seems unreal, another major storm hitting Florida after experiencing... Read More

How to Get Rid of Your Worries: 5 Golden Rules and a Warning

Suresh was a worried person when he came to me... Read More

Surviving the Storms of Life

August in Florida has a daily ritual that Floridians take... Read More

25% of Americans Suffer From a Mental Illness and do Not Get Adequate Relief From Antidepressants

According to the June 7th issue of the Wall Street... Read More

Depression is the Number One Cause of Disability in the United States

According to the World Health Organization, 4 of the 10... Read More

Depression in Teenagers: Now What Can We Do?

No doubt you have seen the recent news headlines about... Read More

Eliminate The Belief That Your Illness Is Genetic

Many illnesses, emotional and otherwise, are often said to be... Read More

Adult Men and Women Who Suffer From Chronic Depression

Market surveys on women, men and depression suggest an estimated... Read More

FDA Nears Completion of Review of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Depression

On June 2 at 8:00 pm ET, Reuters news service... Read More

Tips to Beat Depression

We all have days when we are down, worn out... Read More