Alcoholism And Substance Abuse
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports 20% of Americans with an anxiety disorder such as depression have also started drug abuse or increased alcohol consumption. Its incredibly harmful to soothe depression symptoms with drugs and alcohol, and its another sign its time to get help as soon as possible.
The Risk Of Suicide Is Real
What to do in a crisis situation
If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave them alone.
In the U.S., dial 911 or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
In other countries, call your countrys emergency services number or visit IASP to find a suicide prevention helpline.
It may be hard to believe that the person you know and love would ever consider something as drastic as suicide, but a depressed person may not see any other way out. Depression clouds judgment and distorts thinking, causing a normally rational person to believe that death is the only way to end the pain theyre feeling.
Since suicide is a very real danger when someone is depressed, its important to know the warning signs:
- Talking about suicide, dying, or harming oneself a preoccupation with death
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-hate
- Acting in dangerous or self-destructive ways
- Getting affairs in order and saying goodbye
- Seeking out pills, weapons, or other lethal objects
- A sudden sense of calm after depression
If you think a friend or family member might be considering suicide, dont wait, talk to them about your concerns. Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic but it is one of the best things you can do for someone who is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a persons life, so speak up if youre concerned and seek professional help immediately!
Keep An Open Mind When Seeking Help For Depression
When I first went to my GP about my mental health around 10 years ago, I was absolutely adamant I didn’t want any medication. I had a lot of preconceptions about antidepressants, and the kind of people who took them. I was worried about side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Of course, it’s important to be fully informed about the possible effects of the treatments for depression, but don’t be swayed by stigma and scare stories. Nobody will be able to tell that you are taking antidepressants.
I eventually did accept medication for my depression and anxiety, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at therapy. The medication in itself wasn’t necessarily a cure for my depression, but it did make me calmer and more receptive to trying different therapeutic approaches. Taking a SSRI also helped me with my tendencies to self-medicate with alcohol, food or drugs, and cope better at work. Unless you choose to tell anyone, nobody is going to know that you use medication to treat a mental health problem.
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Do Antidepressants Have Side Effects
Virtually all medicines can cause side effects. Typically, unwanted effects increase when the dose rises. Side effects usually vary from one drug to another and are especially variable between different medication classes. If you have previously taken a medicine and done well or poorly or had bothersome side effects, be sure to tell the doctor what happened. This should affect the choice of your next prescription. If you have never taken an antidepressant, discuss with your doctor which groups have which side effects. Let your doctor know which side effects you particularly wish to avoid, such as sedation or sexual disruption.
When Should I Seek Help
If your symptoms of depression are causing problems with relationships, work, or your family — and there isn’t a clear solution — you should see a professional.
Talking with a mental health counselor or doctor can help prevent things from getting worse, especially if your symptoms stay for any length of time.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or feelings, get help right away.
It’s important to understand that feeling depressed doesn’t mean you have depression. That condition involves not only changes in mood, but also changes in sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, and motivation.
If you have physical symptoms like these and find yourself feeling depressed much of the time for days or weeks, see your doctor.
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How Long Should I Wait Before I Go And See A Medical Professional
If your symptoms are mild, do not impair your work or home life, or adversely affect your health, and you do not think about suicide or self-harm, you could wait a week or two before visiting a professional to see if the symptoms may improve on their own. But more serious symptoms need immediate attention.
Be Alert To Signs That Treatment Is Not Working
On the other hand, the absence of any such signs most likely means that ones depression is not improving and may be getting worse, Halaris notes, adding that a major concern in the absence of improvement is whether your loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
This is where you need to very gently raise the question whether they are having even fleeting thoughts of their life not being worth living, Halaris says.
According to Mayo Clinic, signs your loved one may be considering suicide include:
- Making statements such as I wish I were dead or I wish I hadnt been born
- Purchasing a gun or hoarding pills
- Fixating on violence, death, or dying
- Withdrawing from social contact with others
- Feeling hopeless or trapped in their current situation
- Telling people, goodbye, as if theyre going to disappear
- Getting their affairs in order or giving away their belongings with no other plausible explanation for doing so
If your loved one shows signs of considering or planning to take their own life, Halaris and Riba recommend taking steps to reduce their risk of attempting or completing suicide, such as:
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Changes In Appetite And Eating
Some people binge on donuts, ice-cream, and everything else they can shove into their mouths to relieve the pain of their depression. Other folks stare at their dinner plate with absolutely no appetite or interest in food. Either way, a significant change in appetite and weight can signal depression.
Inability To Focus Or Concentrate
If you find it challenging to complete simple tasks from start to finish without zoning out, or if decision making has become problematic, then you are experiencing an often overlooked sign of depression. You may also make more mistakes at work or not want to go anymore due to your frequent inaccuracies or constant decline in productivity.
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Vitamins And Supplements For Depression
The jury is still out on how well herbal remedies, vitamins, or supplements work in treating depression. While many supplements are widely available over the counter, in many cases their efficacy has not been scientifically proven. If your depression symptoms are in part due to nutritional deficiency, you may benefit from vitamin supplements, but this should be on the advice of your healthcare professional.
If you decide to try natural and herbal supplements, remember that they can have side effects and drug or food interactions. For example, St. Johns Worta promising herb used for treatment of mild to moderate depressioncan interfere with prescription drugs such as blood thinners, birth control pills, and prescription antidepressants. Make sure your doctor or therapist knows what you are taking.
Supporting Your Loved Ones Treatment
One of the most important things you can do to help a friend or relative with depression is to give your unconditional love and support throughout the treatment process. This involves being compassionate and patient, which is not always easy when dealing with the negativity, hostility, and moodiness that go hand in hand with depression.
Provide whatever assistance the person needs . Help your loved one make and keep appointments, research treatment options, and stay on schedule with any treatment prescribed.
Have realistic expectations. It can be frustrating to watch a depressed friend or family member struggle, especially if progress is slow or stalled. Having patience is important. Even with optimal treatment, recovery from depression doesnt happen overnight.
Lead by example. Encourage the person to lead a healthier, mood-boosting lifestyle by doing it yourself: maintain a positive outlook, eat better, avoid alcohol and drugs, exercise, and lean on others for support.
Encourage activity. Invite your loved one to join you in uplifting activities, like going to a funny movie or having dinner at a favorite restaurant. Exercise is especially helpful, so try to get your depressed loved one moving. Going on walks together is one of the easiest options. Be gently and lovingly persistentdont get discouraged or stop asking.
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Without Depression Treatment Problems Worsen
When asking clients how their depression affected their life, I got a number of different responses but the overall theme was that without depression treatment their problems only got worse. One client told me that as time went on she began to feel so worthless that her work ethic at her job started to decline and she was facing the possibility of losing her job. The added stress of her poor job performance and the possibility of not being able to pay her bills made things even worse. All of this combined with her depression caused her to be unable to sleep at night causing her to constantly be exhausted.
Another client talked about how he slowly become more and more socially isolated. He said that there would be days that he would struggle to get out of bed and the idea of going to a social gathering seemed unbearable. The more invitations he turned down and the more engagements he canceled, the less he was invited. Eventually his friends stopped reaching out and his family was at a loss for what they could do to help. Lonely and still struggling with depression, my client mentioned that there were times when he contemplated suicide.
Seeing A Doctor About Depression
Big changes in your life, like bereavement, losing a job, or even having a baby, can cause symptoms of depression. You’re also more likely to experience depression if you have a family history of depression. However, it’s also possible to become depressed without there being an obvious reason.
You can learn more about depression causes here.
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Treatment: When To Seek Professional Help And Where To Find Help For Major Depression
When to Seek Professional Help
Everyone feels low and depressed every now and then. How then, are you supposed to know when your depressive symptoms have reached a point when professional help would be a good idea? Here’s a good rule of thumb: If your depressed mood lasts for more than two weeks, or is seriously interfering with your ability to function at work, with your family, and in your social life, or is causing you to contemplate or plan to commit suicide, it would be a very good idea for you to consult with a mental health professional as soon as possible.
This advice to seek out professional help counts double with regard to any suicidal symptoms you may be experiencing. If you find yourself thinking seriously about suicide, please make an appointment with a mental health doctor as soon as you can.
If you are feeling acutely suicidal that you will end up committing suicide within hours or days unless you receive some relief, then bypass the advice about making an appointment with a doctor just take yourself immediately to your local hospital emergency room and tell them there that you are feeling suicidal. In such a case, there is no time to waste with appointments.
Where To Find Help
- Mental health specialists, including:
Talk To The Person About Depression Its Effects And Its Treatment
Your concerns will only be heard if you speak up about them. Be open and honest about why you are worried. Mention the changes you have observed in the person. This is a crucial period when sincere and non-judgmental speech is vital. Also, remember that talking involves listening to and validating the other persons thoughts.
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What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
Thoughts Of Death Suicide Or Self
Seek immediate help if you are self-harming in any way, like cutting yourself, or if you have persistent thoughts of suicide or death. You may feel embarrassed or ashamed to disclose those thoughts to someone, actions are not as far from thoughts as you think. Keeping them a secret is risking devastating results.
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Different Types Of Depression
There are different types of depression, and there are some conditions where depression is a symptom. These conditions include:
- Bipolar disorder people with bipolar disorder, which is also known as “manic depression”, experience times of depression, where the symptoms are similar to clinical depression. They also go through phases when they have excessively high moods . Bouts of mania can include harmful behaviour like unsafe sex, spending sprees and gambling.
- Seasonal affective disorder is also called “winter depression”. It’s depression that is related to weather, usually winter, so it happens seasonally.
- Postnatal depression happens to some women after they’ve had a baby. It’s treated similarly to other types of depression, with antidepressant medication and talking therapy.
Learn more about how depression is diagnosed here.
Electroconvulsive Therapy Electric Shock Treatment
If you have severe depression and other treatments, like medication, haven’t worked, ECT might be recommended for you.
When receiving ECT, you will be given an anaesthetic and medication that relaxes your muscles to begin with. Electrodes will be placed on your head that give an electrical “shock” to your brain.
ECT is given over a series of sessions, normally twice a week for three to six weeks.
ECT can cause side effects including nausea, headaches, aches in the muscles and memory problems.
Most people find that ECT is good for relieving severe depression, but the beneficial effects tend to wear off when several months have passed.
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When To Seek Help For Depression
Everyone feels sadness, low self-esteem, and burnout at some point. So, you may be wondering when these feelings are considered symptoms of depression.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition considers your mental and physical conditions when evaluating for depression. In order for a doctor to give you a depression diagnosis, you would have to have 5 or more symptoms for at least 2 weeks.
In addition, you may notice other side effects in your life if youre dealing with depression.
Consider making an appointment with a doctor if youre feeling some of the following symptoms:
- loss of interest in hobbies
- suicidal thoughts
Its important to remember that only a medical professional can provide a depression diagnosis.
Sometimes, even when the resources are there, your mental health can keep you feeling isolated. While people may seem more open to talking about depression now, people still repeat common misunderstandings of depression .
Depression is not a weak personality trait. Its a mental health condition that you can experience, and its not a reflection of a persons character. Depression is common and highly treatable.
Whether youre weeks into feeling depressed or you suspect that your symptoms have just started affecting your day, dont hesitate to find help with a medical professional.
You have several options on where to turn for help. Helpful resources exist, and they can fit your time schedule, interest, and budget.
How Can I Help A Loved One Who Is Depressed
If someone you know has depression, help them see a health care provider or mental health professional. You also can:
- Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
- Invite them out for walks, outings, and other activities.
- Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take prescribed medications.
- Make sure they have transportation to therapy appointments.
- Remind them that, with time and treatment, the depression will lift.
Take comments about suicide seriously, and report them to your loved ones health care provider or therapist. If they are in immediate distress or thinking about hurting themselves, call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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Helping A Friend Or Family Member
You can play a key role in helping a person who is depressed:
- Be a good listener and avoid making any judgments.
- Encourage your friend or family member to get other help as well, and assist them in finding it.
- Offer to go with them to appointments.
- Stay in regular contact let them know youre there for them.
- Make plans together to do something fun.
- Stay alert for warning signs of suicidal behaviour . If there is an immediate risk, get them to a hospital emergency department, or call 911 right away.
Dont forget to look after yourself. Make sure to make time for yourself and your own wellness needs physical, emotional, social and seek extra support for yourself when you need it.