| Help and hope for depression sufferers |
- Learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression
- How to get help for depression
- Evaluating the best treatments for depression
- Free help and advice for depression
Depression is an illness that has been well studied and documented. There is no shame in suffering from depression.
Depression can be overcome with one, or a combination of:
- Medications (SSRI’s, others)
- Psychotherapy (Cognitive-behavioral therapy and REBT)
- Depression Therapy Online
- Natural Supplements (Herbal compounds)
- Attention to physical health and diet
- Attention to mental health (stress management, etc.)
Causes of Depression
Causes of depression vary from one person to another. Severe depression or chronic depression occurs in about 25 million people in the U.S each year.
Clinical trials have shown that utilizing medications and counselling (psychotherapy) offer the best results for treating depression.
Overwhelming grief, chronic pain, and abuse may also cause or contribute to depressive disorders.
The possible causes of depression are varied. There is not one single medical explanation for depression. Causes of Depression
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms may happen gradually, but typically include a prolonged feeling of sadness, a lack of joy, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, and more.
What is the Definition of Clinical Depression?
By definition, a condition is clinical if it is “directly observed.” That is, the professional does not only count on a patient’s self-report but is more likely to check for symptoms of depression that can be observed and documented.
“Clinical depression” (usually interchangeable with “major depression,” “major depressive disorder” or “depression”) is used to describe a condition serious enough to require clinical (professional), and possibly pharmacological, intervention. The term clinical depression is interchangeable with the term depressive disorder.
Help for Depression
A key to overcoming depression may first involve taking a free confidential depression self-test.
Also, free depression screenings are often offered at medical clinics, which also frequently offer depression support groups and other types of free depression help. Simply dial 211 from your phone–in the U.S. and Canada–and this free call will connect you with someone who may be able to direct you to free mental health services in your area.
Online support groups and chat rooms and online counselling provide support and advice from people experienced and who have suffered through the same emotional distress.
Be sure to discuss all depression concerns with your doctor. One’s physical condition may be a contributor to depression.
You may also want to visit Medline at the U.S National Library of Medicine to review physical conditions and symptoms of depression. ‘
Steps to Overcome Depression Video:
Self-Help Books for Depression
Books for depression can be quite helpful. They provide insight into depression signs and symptoms, alternative therapy methods, FAQs about depression, even how diet affects depression. E-books are often available at reasonable prices. These can be purchased and downloaded immediately.
Depression Therapy and Counseling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (also known as talk therapy) is the most widely used type of psychotherapy for depression. It is simply a talk-through type session with a licensed mental health counsellor.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is considered the “grandfather” of CBT and is well recognized globally as a form of therapy that’s easy to learn and use. REBT follows the proven theory that one’s thinking affects one’s emotions. The process is a simple one on one counselling to help show you how to adjust your self-talk to help you rather than hinder you.
The most effective help for overcoming clinical depression is the combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Depression Therapy Online has become more prominent in the last five years and has become well accepted. It is performed by a licensed counsellor.
Definition of Major Depressive Disorder Video:
Definition of Major Depressive Disorder — powered by ehow
Psychotherapy and counselling are interchangeable terms. Secondly, CBT type therapy, as mentioned above, is simply an educational process where you have a one-on-one teacher for a few weeks or months to re-train some of your thinking.
Some distinctions to remember: a Psychiatrist is an M.D. and prescribes meds but many of them do not do talk therapy; a psychotherapist (or counselor) provides talk therapy but does not prescribe meds. She/he is a licensed mental health counsellor and usually holds a PhD, at the very least a Masters.
Psychologist may or may not practice therapy/counselling; they are scientists who study the thought processes and behaviour of people. Go here for a more detailed explanation of CBT>>
Depression Medications and Herbal Supplements for Depression
In the past, the most widely prescribed medications for depression have been Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and still are, but other types of depression prescription medicines were introduced in the early to mid-’00s. The most widely prescribed prescription meds for depression include:
Celexa, Cymbalta, Trazodone, Effexor, Elavil, Lexapro, Pamelor, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron, Tofranil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft
Detailed information about the above medications
Herbal supplements may also be taken for depression. Herbals include PureCalm and MindSoothe and others. These are considered safe and are an effective alternative for many.
Coping With Depression
In addition to medications and therapy, there is further help for those dealing with depression in their lives. On the Internet, depression chat rooms are the online version of support groups.
Free depression and bipolar support groups in the U.S.
Also, there are excellent depression self-help books and E-books that many people find much relief in.