It’s hard not to feel depressed these days. We’re still digging ourselves out of the economic rubble, more soldiers are needed in Afghanistan and fires are raging across California. Then there’s the normal mayhem that parades across our TV screens on the local news every night. Unless these events intrude into our personal lives, however, they affect most of us only superficially. It’s when traumatic experiences become part of our personal daily experience that the risk of depression increases.
Unfortunately, the scope of today’s problems is so great that an unusually large number of people are coping with personal disasters like job loss, layoffs, home foreclosure, debt, illness, marital discord and other difficult life challenges. As time passes and these problems continue to eat away at us without solution, anxiety and grief for our losses intensifies. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can overwhelm us. We blame ourselves and may even consider death or suicide. This is the risk and danger of depression.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 14.8 million adults experience a major depressive disorder, and an additional 3.3 million Americans suffer from mild or chronic depression. Since 1996, the number of Americans taking antidepressant drugs has increased by 100%. Many people who suffer from depression do not recognize that they have the illness and do not realize that they can recover with psychotherapy treatment directed by an experienced psychiatrist.
Depressed people feel overwhelmed by a life over which they feel they’ve lost control. They are exhausted by the struggle to solve problems for which they see no solution. They stop participating in their usual activities. They lose interest in activities that used to give them pleasure. They begin to withdraw from family and friends. When sadness or despair last more than two weeks or begin to interfere with the normal activities of daily living — working, eating, sleeping, family responsibilities — consider it a cry for help. Someone who is depressed may not recognize their need for help; and many are relieved when a family member, friend or co-worker steps in to offer assistance.
Depression can be treated successfully with competent care directed by an experienced psychiatrist. On Friday we’ll discuss successful treatments for depression. Click here to watch Dr. Tracy Marks’ helpful podcast on Depression and Anxiety Coping Strategies.