Confronting depression
By Ryan Oliver
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Depression
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Imagine
you are in a cafe or a pub with five of your friends. Statistically,
one of your group will be clinically depressed at some time
in their lives, if he or she is not currently.
The depression
that affects one in five people in Australia is not the temporary
"low" we all feel on occasion. It is the real thing;
the most common form of mental illness in the western world.
In the same way that influenza is a whole different ball
game from what's commonly known as "the 'flu", clinical
depression is far more serious than a transient case of "the
blues".
Society is slow to learn what true depression involves. More
than 60 per cent of sufferers don't seek help; and, of the
40 per cent that do seek help, 45 per cent are incorrectly
diagnosed. Much of the reason for this is ignorance on the
part of both patients and carers.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you might be
suffering from depression, it is useful at first to appreciate
what depression ISN'T.
Depression is not the wholly normal feeling of sadness or
melancholy that may grip you for a day or so. It is not just
disappointment or loss of confidence. It is not grief - although
grieving can be allied to it. It is not just something that
you can "snap out of".
Depression is a relentless, pervasive sense of despair; a
paralysing condition characterised by a lack of interest in
life and feelings of utter uselessness. If depression just
meant "the blues" it wouldn't have an official definition
listed by the World Health Organisation.
Depression is not a transient state. It is a long-term malaise
that often receives scant sympathy from the general public.
If it was just a case of depressed people "pulling
themselves together" and getting on with life, doctors
would not be inundated, as they are, with hordes of people
who are unable to cope with life.
Mental illness is a source of great fear in the general public.
We might have come a long way since the grim days of Bedlam
but try telling a mentally ill person not to feel stigmatised
and he or she will tell you that you're the crazy one.
Depression is the most common form of mental illness in Australia
but its widespread occurence has not educated the wider public.
People suffering depression are battling an illness. It is
not their fault that they have an illness. They have not failed.
They are not lesser people and should not be seen as such.
However, due to the very nature of depressive conditions,
that is precisely the way they will see themselves.
DEPRESSION : THE DANGER SIGNS
Two weeks of abnormal depressed mood.
Loss of interest and decreased energy.
Loss of confidence.
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Recurrent thoughts of death.
Poor concentration.
Agitation or retardation.
Sleep disturbance.
Change in appetite.
"Mild" depression includes
first two symptoms and at least one other.
"Severe" depression includes
the first two symptoms and at least five others.
If you feel you are depressed, the first step is to visit
your GP.
There are other illnesses that may produce similar symptoms
to depression, so your doctor's is the best place to go if
you have any concerns about your health.
Obviously, GPs are jacks-of-all-trades in many ways and may
not have ultra-specialised knowledge of depression, its causes
and its treatments, but visiting the doctor's is the crucial
first step. Ask your doctor about the possibility of seeing
a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist,
especially if you have been dwelling on death or suicide.
It is important to realise that depression is a treatable
condition. Doctors have a number of options available and
often any one can do the trick or a combination of them may
be used.
Firstly, there is "talking therapy" or counselling.
Secondly, depression is often treated with anti-depressant
drugs. Thirdly, there are various self-help therapies, such
as taking regular exercise and balancing your diet.
You would not think twice about seeking expert help for any
physical medical condition. The same rules must apply for
depression or any other mental health problem.
There is a wealth of information available about depression
on the Internet and it is quickly made obvious to anyone suffering
from depression that they are clearly not alone and that a
lot of help is on hand.
A brilliant starting point for Australians should be depressioNet,
which is a comprehensive site that deals with just about every
aspect of the condition and offers advice and information
on all treatments.
Apart from defining the condition and answering FAQs, the
site tells you where to find help in your area, how to find
support for those living with a depressed person, and even
gives you a list of famous people who have succeeded despite
battles with depression.
DepressioNet gives plenty of practical self-help suggestions
and, crucially, is totally non-judgmental or preachy.
Links
Beyond Blue
Depression
Central
Suicidal.com
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