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What to do if you are Depressed
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Being informed and educated is the first step in
managing depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. This page is for
information only and should not take the place of a qualified psychiatrist or
psychotherapist.
How Do I Know It's
Depression?
How Do I Know It's
Mania?
What Do I Do?
If you are suicidal
Medication
Psychotherapy
Alcoholism and Other
Addictions
Support System
What if My Parents
Don't Understand?
What if I Cannot
Afford Medication or Healthcare?
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“I should have been excited the way
most of the other girls were, but I couldn't get myself to relax. I felt very still and
very empty, the way the eye of the tornado must feel moving dully along in the middle of
the surrounding hullabaloo." -- Sylvia Plath, The
Bell Jar
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How Do I Know I Have
Depression?
"When you are depressed, the whole body is
depressed, and it translates to the cellular level."
- O. Carl Simonton, M.D.
Depression is not the blues, or feeling low for a few
hours, or even a few days. It is not a sadness that comes after a
relationship or the grief you feel after the death of a loved one.
Depression is an illness of the entire body. One major
effect is the loss of energy; very few things, or nothing at all, makes you
feel motivated or interested. You may go about life feeling as if you are in
a fog; your mind may feel slow, your legs may feel heavy as you walk;
concentration is difficult and so if your ability to make decisions. It is
difficult to read, study, or pay attention at work or in school.
Symptoms of Depression
- Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
- Significant weight gain or loss when not dieting
- Sleeping too little or too much nearly every day
- Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
- Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
- Pessimism, indifference
- Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
- Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
- Inability to take pleasure in former interests,
social withdrawal
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Anyone experiencing four or
more of the above should seek help if symptoms persist for longer than two
weeks.
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"My mind was beginning to have to
scramble a bit to keep up with itself, as ideas were coming so fast that they intersected
one another at every conceivable angle. There was a neuronal pileup on the highways
of my brain, and the more I tired to slow down my thinking the more I became aware that I
couldn't"
--Kay Redfield Jamison, An Unquiet Mind
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How Do I Know It's
Mania?
Those who have Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) experience two
opposite states, depression and mania.
Symptoms of Mania:
- Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism
and self confidence
- Decreased need for sleep without
experiencing fatigue
- Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of
self-importance
- Excessive irritability, aggressive
behavior
- Increased physical and mental activity
- Racing speech, flight of ideas,
impulsiveness
- Poor judgment, easily distracted
- Reckless behavior such as spending
sprees, rash business decisions, erratic driving, sexual indiscretions
- In the most severe cases,
hallucinations
Anyone experiencing four or more of the above should seek help if
symptoms persist for longer than two weeks.
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What Do I Do?
If you are suicidal
Seek help immediately
- Go the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Call your local crisis hotline (usually
listed in the front of the phone books) OR
- Contact Covenant House NINELINE (24
hour crisis hotline) 1-800-999-9999 TTY: 1-800-999-9915
- Hablamos Espanol: Covenant House
NINELINE 1-800-999-9999 TTY: 1-800-999-9915
The most important thing for you to do is seek help as soon as
possible
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". . . This time I read the title of
the painting: Girl Interrupted at her Music." Interrupted at her music as my
life had been, interrupted in the music of being seventeen, as her life had been, snatched
and fixed on canvas: one moment made to stand still and to stand for all other moments,
whatever they would be or might have been. "
-- Susanna Kaysen, Girl, Interrupted
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Medication
In simple terms, depression from a biochemical imbalance in the
brain. Anti-depressants and mood stabilizers can help correct the imbalance. Only a doctor
can determine if you should be on anti-depressants. You should consult with a psychiatrist or child and
adolescent psychiatrist about medications; although any physician can prescribe
medication, only a psychiatrist has special training and knowledge in mood disorders,
anti-depressants, and mood stabilizers.
Anti-depressants are not a miracle cure. It takes time for them to
work and the first medication that you take may not be the one for you. But medications do
work for most people. Remember that you are the in control of your therapy. Learn all you
can about your illness and medications and make an educated decision with your doctor
about your treatment
To find a good psychiatrist, ask your family doctor, get a
referral from your friend, or contact your local medical or psychiatric society, community
mental health care center, or local medical school.
Before you take decide to take medications
- Make sure you have a complete physical.
Depression can be caused or worsened by physical illnesses such as thyroid disorders.
- Make sure you tell your doctor about
any other medications you are taking, including birth control pills,
vitamins and nutritional supplements such as SAM-e, St. John's Wort or
Gingko Biloba
- Tell your doctor if you feel you have a
problem with alcohol or other substances
For more information about medications
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"To remain a victim of depression when
I have been given the tools to be healthy, or at least healthier, means that I am
withholding a part of me from people who might need whatever I have to give" --Tracy Thompson, The Beast
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Psychotherapy
Depression is a pervasive illness. It can shatter your self-esteem
and effect relationship and social skills. A therapist can work with you in dealing with
your illness and in reestablish connections with your full range of emotions.
A psychotherapist should be
someone with training and licensing, such as a psychologist
or a psychiatrist
Alcoholism and Other
Addictions
IIf you abuse alcohol or other drugs or
you have a problem with gambling, you will need to treat those problems while you are
treating your depression. Many people use drugs and alcohol as an attempt to
self-medicate. Work with your therapist and doctor on these issues. Attending support
groups is also key in many people's recovery issues, see below for information on support
groups that can help you
Support System
A good support system is an important part of depression
treatment.
Attend a support group. The Mood disorder support group has many
local chapters and support groups for people with mood disorders and their families and
friends.
MDSG New York City
MDDA Boston
National
Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
Alcoholics
Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous Website
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Overeaters
Anonymous
12-Step Organizations'
Contact Information
Going to a support group is recommended. But for those who cannot
make it to their local support group, or want an additional support system, there are also
several support groups on the web:
Walkers in Darkness -- A site which has information
on depression, including how to join a mailing list for people with depression &
bipolar disorder.
supportgroup.com
bulletin board
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What if My Parents
Don't Understand?
Unfortunately many people are not educate about depression and
don't understand it as an illness. This can be devastating, especially to a child who
lives under her/his parent's care. Your parents may not understand and this may effect
your treatment. Some things you can do:
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Ask your parents to attend a family and
friends meeting at your local support group
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Ask them to read one of the many books written for family members for people with depression
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Talk to another adult - a relative,
family friend, family doctor, teacher, school counselor, or nurse. Ask them to talk to
your parents or help you get treatment.
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If you are attending college, contact
the student health services for help.
What if I Cannot
Afford Medication or Healthcare?
Mental health care can be expensive, even for those with
insurance. There are some options:
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