We hear the word depression a lot. Just saying the word can make you feel down, low, gloomy, hopeless. Most people are able to say the word and feel or get a visual of what depression looks like. STOP!!! That is not even close, for those who deal with it daily. It is described as a black cloud hanging over one’s head. The motivation to get up and do something, is just not there. Sleeping 12-18 hours a day. Not being able to get to sleep, laying in bed for hours. They say “my mind will not shut off”. A sense of doom, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. A heaviness on them. So many ways that it is described.
According to DSM 5 : Depression is diagnosed when an individual experiences five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and one should either be a depressed mood and or loss of interest or pleasure.
*Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
*Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activates most of the day, nearly every day.
*Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
*A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
*Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
*Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
*Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
*Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, what are you to do? There are numerous websites that you can take online quizzes that will give you a score. My go to is https://www.mdcalc.com/phq-9-patient-health-questionnaire-9. This site allows you to answer the questions on the PHQ9. It will give you a score. You can also make an appointment with your primary care provider. They can talk with you, discussing symptoms and what if any treatment is needed. I will discuss some general treatment options.
Exercise: I know we all have an excuse to not exercise. It is too hot, too cold, uphill both ways, I have kids…..you get the idea. The cold hard facts are you have to make it a priority. You do not have to have any equipment; you do not need to join a gym. You need to get out of your chair and do something. Heck if you can’t get out of your chair, you can still do some type of exercise. Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make us happier. While you may still need to consider other treatment options, exercise can be added to any of them. There is a program called silver sneakers, here is a blog post with 4 simple chair exercises. You can add others as you are able.
Therapy: many folks with depression can do evidenced based therapy by a licensed therapist. These therapies are normally a scheduled sequence of visits. You and the therapist discuss things you can do to help with symptoms. You will normally have homework from these sessions. Most folks who choose therapy do GREAT! It is a commitment in your health. These tools unlike medication work even after you are finished with the therapy protocol. You will learn many tools that you can look back on years from now.
Medications: There are many medications that can help with depression. Each class works in a different way. Actually, each medication within a class can work a little differently. Medications work well for about 33%, work somewhat about 33% and do not work for 33%. There is always a chance of developing side effects when taking any medication. Your primary care provider or mental health provider will discuss these with you. Medications can be a life changing option for some people.
Depression is a real thing; it affects approximately 7% of American’s each year according to National Institute of Mental Health www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml. With the highest percentage seen in ages 18-25 at 13.1 percent.
One of our biggest issues that happen for many people with depression is feeling they would be better off dead. National suicide rates in the US in 2017 were 47173 individuals. Suicide was the second leading cause of death ages 10 and 34 and the fourth among individuals between ages 35 and 54. According to www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml .
If you or someone you know is needing help, call the national suicide hotline.
1-800-273-8255
Depression is a serious mental health disease. Many do not wish to be treated. However, for those who seek treatment, can find what works best for them. If you or someone you know, has symptoms of depression, please make an appointment with your primary care provider or mental health provider to discuss. Please do not try to deal with it on your own.
If you have found things that work for you, or have a success story please comment below. Share this post if you know someone it might help.
This is not medical advice. This is informational purposes only and does NOT constitute a visit with your health care provider. You need to make an appointment with your healthcare provider for treatment.