Depression
Silence is not an option
What is Depression?
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Stats and Facts
- 45-64 is the most prevalent age of depression at 4.6% of the total population
- High rates of depression are related to high rates of: obesity, heart disease stroke, sleep disorders, lack of education, less access to medical insurance
- Unemployed and recently divorced people are more likely to experience depression
- Women have higher rates of depression than men (twice as more likely to have depression and symptoms of depression as men the same age)
- People who have been diagnosed with depression spend approximately $22,960 for healthcare per year
Treatment and Recovery
The first treatment which is making lifestyle changes is recommended for all people with different levels of depression. Therapists and doctors usually recommend for the patient to exercise more because it boosts the "feel-good" chemicals in our brains and also triggers the growth of new brain cells. It is also recommended that the patients eat well-balanced meals and get 7-9 hours of sleep to keep their energy up. Keeping in regular contact with friends and family members has also shown to improve the symptoms of depression. Finally, it is recommended that the patient makes changes in their lives to reduce stress as stress is directly linked to depression.
Seeking therapy is another effective way to treat depression. Talk therapy is effective in getting rid of depression and also preventing it from coming back. Therapists will often refer to your past, present, and future to figure out what is causing your problem and how it can be solved. Therapists will also help you decide on what lifestyle changes you must make.
Medication treatment should be used as the last resort if making lifestyle changes and therapy does not work. Scientists believe that depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The medications and antidepressants are meant to boost these chemicals to create a balance in the brain and improve the persons mood. Medication treatment is not the most effective treatment because it carries side-effects and does not actually solve the problem. Antidepressants are good at relieving the symptoms of depression, however the depression is still there behind all of the medication and can return.
The type of treatment needed for each patient is different because not every patient is experiencing the same level or type of depression as everyone else.