RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

What is Depression?
􀂃 Depression is a common and sometimes serious disorder of mood that is pervasive, intense, and attacks the mind and body at the same time. 􀂃 Depression may be associated with an imbalance of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that carry communications between nerve cells that control mood and other basic bodily functions. 􀂃 Other factors may also come into play, such as negative life experiences such as stress, illnesses, medicines, and certain personality traits and genetic factors.

Types of Depression
􀂃 Major depression is a common type of depression and is characterized by at least five of the key symptoms (see list below). 􀂃 Dysthymia is a milder, chronic form of depression that lasts two years or more. 􀂃 Bipolar depression is the depressive phase of manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder), in which there are both extreme highs and extreme lows of mood. Bipolar depression symptoms are similar to those of major depression and may involve excessive sleep and appetite with very low energy. 􀂃 Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that follows seasonal rhythms, with symptoms occurring in the winter months and diminishing in spring or summer, and can occur in major depression or bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of Depression
􀂃 Persistent sad or empty mood 􀂃 Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities 􀂃 Changes in appetite or weight 􀂃 Inability to sleep or oversleeping 􀂃 Restlessness or sluggishness 􀂃 Decreased energy or fatigue 􀂃 Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 􀂃 Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness 􀂃 Thoughts of death or suicide

The Extent of the Problem
􀂃 Between 17 and 20 million Americans each year develop some form of depression. 􀂃 One out of every five adults may experience a depression at some point in their lives. 􀂃 Only a small minority of people suffering from depression are accurately diagnosed and receive treatment.

Treatment for Depression
􀂃 More than 80% of people with depression improve with treatment within several months, although it may be necessary to try multiple forms of treatment until the right ones are found. 􀂃 Antidepressant medications may take several weeks to be effective. 􀂃 Psychotherapy, sometimes called talking therapy, is aimed at helping the person develop new ways of thinking, improving relations with other people, or resolving current conflicts or those remaining from childhood. 􀂃 Electro convulsive therapy (ECT), contrary to popular mythology, is a very safe and effective form of treatment. It is generally used for individuals with severe depression and for patients who cannot tolerate medication because of a medical condition or are at high risk for suicide. 􀂃 Self-help groups can provide a supportive environment for individuals with depression, their family and friends.

Economic and Social Costs of Depression
􀂃 Depression costs nearly $50 billion annually in the United States alone. 􀂃 $24 billion is comprised of lost productivity and worker absenteeism. 􀂃 Treatment for depression reduces overall costs by reducing hospitalizations, medical expenses, and disability. 􀂃 By the year 2020, unipolar major depression will be the second most burdensome illness in the world in terms of lost years of healthy life. 􀂃 Depression has been linked with increases in risk, severity, and mortality of cancer and heart disease. 􀂃 Heart attack survivors and those with congestive heart failure with major depression have 304 times greater risk of dying within six months than those who do not suffer from depression.

Depression and Seniors
􀂃 Depression symptoms occur in approximately 15 percent of community residents over age 65, with an even higher prevalence in nursing home residents. 􀂃 Chronically depressed seniors have an 88% higher risk of contracting all forms of cancer than do non-depressed seniors. 􀂃 Concurrent medical conditions and early dementia can compromise accurate recognition of depression in seniors. 􀂃 Common medical illnesses associated with late-life depression include cancer, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s dementia. 􀂃 A third of widows/widowers meet criteria for a major depressive episode in the first month after death, and half of these remain clinically depressed one year later.

Adolescent and Child Depression
􀂃 As many as one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents may have clinical depression. 􀂃 Children who are depressed may not show outward signs of being sad, but may spend a great deal of time alone and talk of death or suicide. 􀂃 Early onset of major depression (first episode prior to age 20) is associated with a greater likelihood of a more recurrent pattern in adulthood and with development of manic depression. 􀂃 Children of parents with a history of major depression or bipolar disorder are at markedly higher risk for major depression, including prepubertal onset illness.

Depression and Women
􀂃 Twice as many women as men suffer from depression; however, the risk for bipolar disorder is similar in men and women. 􀂃 The difference in the incidence of depression between women and men begins to appear in adolescence and becomes more pronounced with age. 􀂃 There is some evidence that married women and those who stay home with small children have higher rates of depression. 􀂃 Exercise is often suggested for women (and men) who feel depressed because it may elevate certain mood-elevating chemicals in the blood and can contribute to a feeling of well-being, self-discipline, control, and positive self-esteem.

Depression and Suicide
􀂃 Major depression and bipolar disorder are the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide. 􀂃 About two-thirds of people who complete suicide have a depressive disorder at the time of their deaths. 􀂃 Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the US, claiming approximately 30,000 lives each year. 􀂃 Each year, almost 5,000 young people, ages 15-24, kill themselves. 􀂃 Suicide rates among youth have increased more than 300% since the 1950’s. 􀂃 Four times as many men kill themselves, as do women, but three to four times as many women attempt suicide as do men. Additional

Information
􀂃 Call 1-800-573-4433 or visit www.nmisp.org