After I was diagnosed with depression, I starting researching the illness and read every article about the disease that I could get my hands on. What I learned was fascinating - this illness was a REAL illness AND it was treatable!
According to information on the website for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), an estimated 16 million American adults have had at least one major depressive episode IN THE PAST YEAR! Depression does not discriminate. People of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience depression.
SYMPTOMS
While symptoms can differ with each individual, there are common symptoms to depression which include:
* Loss of energy
* Changes in sleep
* Low self esteem
* Changes in appetite
* Lack of concentration
* Physical aches and pains (yes, mental health CAN affect the body)
* Lack of interest in activities that used to be entertaining
* Hopelessness
*Thoughts of suicide
DIAGNOSIS
If you have had any symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks, it is recommended that you see a doctor.
And you don't need to find a specialist to receive your diagnosis - I was diagnosed by my OBGYN who had been my doctor for 20 years and knew me very well!
TREATMENTS
Treatment plans will differ per individual but I would recommend finding a doctor who treats with a "holistic" approach - mind, body, spirit. Your doctor can find a treatment plan that works best for you - but don't be surprised if the treatment plan changes periodically as the brain is a tricky organ to control.
My personal treatment plan involves Medication (Prozac); exercise (walking on the treadmill at least 20 minutes per day); diet (keeping close watch on caffeine intake); and of course my faith in God.
Finding a doctor you are comfortable with is the most important factor in overcoming depression. He or she needs to understand you for you and throw the text book away because most mental health patients are NOT text book cases. The best treatment is a COMBINATION of treatments and not just a pill.
RESOURCES
There are some great resources on the web that can provide valuable information about mental health and treatments. Some even provide support groups so check out the local organizations which you can access from the National page.
www.nami.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
www.familyaware.org (Families for Depression Awareness)
www.mentalhealthamerica.net (Mental Health America)
www.nimh.nih.gov (National Institute of Mental Health)
www.thenationalcouncil.org (National Council for Behavioral Health)
According to information on the website for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), an estimated 16 million American adults have had at least one major depressive episode IN THE PAST YEAR! Depression does not discriminate. People of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience depression.
SYMPTOMS
While symptoms can differ with each individual, there are common symptoms to depression which include:
* Loss of energy
* Changes in sleep
* Low self esteem
* Changes in appetite
* Lack of concentration
* Physical aches and pains (yes, mental health CAN affect the body)
* Lack of interest in activities that used to be entertaining
* Hopelessness
*Thoughts of suicide
DIAGNOSIS
If you have had any symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks, it is recommended that you see a doctor.
And you don't need to find a specialist to receive your diagnosis - I was diagnosed by my OBGYN who had been my doctor for 20 years and knew me very well!
TREATMENTS
Treatment plans will differ per individual but I would recommend finding a doctor who treats with a "holistic" approach - mind, body, spirit. Your doctor can find a treatment plan that works best for you - but don't be surprised if the treatment plan changes periodically as the brain is a tricky organ to control.
My personal treatment plan involves Medication (Prozac); exercise (walking on the treadmill at least 20 minutes per day); diet (keeping close watch on caffeine intake); and of course my faith in God.
Finding a doctor you are comfortable with is the most important factor in overcoming depression. He or she needs to understand you for you and throw the text book away because most mental health patients are NOT text book cases. The best treatment is a COMBINATION of treatments and not just a pill.
RESOURCES
There are some great resources on the web that can provide valuable information about mental health and treatments. Some even provide support groups so check out the local organizations which you can access from the National page.
www.nami.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
www.familyaware.org (Families for Depression Awareness)
www.mentalhealthamerica.net (Mental Health America)
www.nimh.nih.gov (National Institute of Mental Health)
www.thenationalcouncil.org (National Council for Behavioral Health)