Help for Depression

by The National Institute of Mental Health

Depression is more than the blues.
Depression is not a personal weakness.
Depression is a treatable illness.

Depressive Illnesses are Serious but Treatable Disorders

Depressive Illnesses come in Various Forms Over 19 Million American Adults Suffer from Depressive Illnesses

Depressive illnesses take a staggering toll:

Many do not Recognize their Illness

Nearly two-thirds of depressed people do not get appropriate treatment because their symptoms:

Symptoms of Depression can Include: Symptoms of mania can Include In the Workplace, Depression often may be recognized by: Get an Accurate Diagnosis

A thorough diagnosis is needed if five or more of the symptoms of depression or mania persist for more than two weeks, or are interfering with work or family life. A good diagnosis involves a complete physical checkup and a review of family history of health problems.

Most People can be Helped Quickly

Depression with Other Illnesses: Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, though it is fequently unrecognized and untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since depression is usually treatable, even when it co-occurs with other disorders.

Individuals or family members with concerns about the co-occurence of depression with another illness should discuss these issues with the physician.

With available treatment, 80 percent of the people with serious depression--even those with the most severe forms--can improve significantly. Symptoms can be relieved, usually in a matter of weeks.

Cost of Depression can be Reduced

When diagnosed early in the course of the illness, depressed people usually can be treated on an outpatient basis and improve productivity, avoid lost work time, and reduce high costs for:

Evaluation and Treatment can be Received from: Depressed Persons may need to get help

The very nature of depressive illnesses can interfere with a person's ability or wish to get help. Depression saps energy and self-esteem and makes a person feel tired, worthless, helpless, and hopeless.

Therefore,

NIMH Publication No. 95-3590, printed 1995






ME | US | FAMILY | WORK | WOMEN | MEN | ANXIETY | DEPRESSION | RECOVERY
HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT | IN THE NEWS | PSYSTORE | REHAB
PSYCHOLOGIST | DRUG REHABSWINNERS CIRCLE

Copyright 2000, 2001 © Psybersquare, Inc.



Psybersquare Inc. does not provide professional psychiatric or psychological counseling, advice or services. The exercises, information, and journalistic content of psybersquare.com are for informational purposes only, and are in the nature of a self-help book or magazine article rather than a treatment service. psybersquare.com provides content exclusively for educational, informational, self-help and entertainment purposes only.