Symptoms of Depression

 
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood  
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including work or sex  
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping)  
• Appetite and weight changes (either gain or loss)  
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness  
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions  
• Chronic aches or persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical disease

Symptoms of Mania

 
• Increased energy  
• Decreased need for sleep  
• Increased risk-taking  
• Unrealistic beliefs in own abilities  
• Increased talking and physical, social, and sexual activity  
• Feelings of great pleasure or irritability  
• Aggressive response to frustration  
• Racing and disconnected thoughts

If some or all of these symptoms of depression or mania persist for more than 2 weeks, or are causing impairment in usual functioning, treatment is needed.

Facts About Treatment for Depression That You Should Know

Them are different forms of depression and varying types of treatment. A complete diagnostic evaluation is an important first step for determining the type and severity or illness and which treatment(s) might be most helpful. Such an evaluation should include:

    1. A physical and neurological examination and laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions that might be causing symptoms of depression,

    2. A history of patient’s symptoms, past treatments, use of alcohol and/or drugs, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and occurrence of depressive illness in other family members, and

    3. A mental status examination to check the patient’s speaking and thought patterns and memory.

Based on the evaluation, the treatment of choke may be a form of psychotherapy, antidepressant medication(s), or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. For some severely depressed individuals who are suicidal, or psychotic, or cannot take antidepressants, or who have not responded to other treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be extraordinarily helpful and even lifesaving.

There are many types of psychotherapy, including short term, 16-week therapies, that have proven useful for some depressive episodes.

There is also a wide choice of medications. It may be necessary for the patient to try several different medications to find the one most effective for him or her. Since most antidepressants take several weeks to begin working, patients may need encouragement to stick with the treatment.

If the patient doesn’t start to feel better after several months of treatment (regardless of which treatment), a different treatment should be considered.

As with any form of health treatment, the credentials of the treating clinician should be checked. Ask for referrals from your doctor or check with the psychiatric department of a local university or hospital or with a community mental health center. Or contact one of the professional or consumer organizations listed in Helping Resources.

Written by Marilyn Sargent, NIMH.