Depression
In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. The economic cost for this disorder is high, but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person. But much of this suffering is unnecessary.
Most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment, although the great majority-even those whose depression is extremely severe-can be helped. Thanks to years of fruitful research, there are now medications and psychosocial therapies such as cognitive/behavioral, "talk," or interpersonal that ease the pain of depression.
Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that depression is a treatable illness. If you feel that you or someone you care about is one of the many undiagnosed depressed people in this country, the information presented here may help you take the steps that may save your own or someone else's life.
WHAT IS A DEPRESSIVE DISORDER?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
More information:
Introduction to Depression
Causes of Depression
Symptoms of Depression
Treatment of Depression
Help For Depression
Antidepressants
Prozac
Prozac is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. Prozac belongs to a
group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs).
Wellbutrin
Depression is a medical illness believed to be caused by
an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Over 18
million Americans suffer from depression. As with other
antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin
works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats
depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called
dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the
chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.
Lexapro
Lexapro is an antidepressant that is a member of the
family of medications known as selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro helps to restore the
brain's chemical balance by increasing the available
supply of serotonin, a substance in the brain believed to
influence mood.
Celexa
Celexa is an antidepressant that is a member of the
family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). Celexa helps to restore the
brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of
a substance in the brain called serotonin. Celexa appears
to relieve depression by increasing serotonin without
affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain that
influence mood.
Paxil
Paxil
(Paroxetine) is used to treat depression, panic attacks,
obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety
disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety
disorder. Paxil works by helping to restore the balance
of certain natural chemicals in the brain. Paxil CR is a
controlled (timed) release form of Paxil.
Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline) is used to treat depression, panic
attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Zoloft works by
helping to restore the balance of certain natural
chemicals in the brain. Zoloft has also been used to
treat a severe form of premenstrual syndrome
(premenstrual dysphoric disorder- PMDD) and a sexual
function problem in men (premature ejaculation).
Effexor
Effexor (Venlafaxine) is used in the treatment of
depression. The extended release form (XR) of this
medication is also used to treat anxiety. Effexor is
thought to work on both serotonin and norepinephrine -
two chemicals in the brain linked to depression.
Correcting the imbalance of these two chemicals may help
relieve symptoms of depression.
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