Depression for Dummies by Laura L. Smith PhD, Charles H. Elliott PhD, Aaron T. Beck (Foreword by)

From the Publisher

"What do you have to be depressed about?" Bet you've heard that one before. Or how about, "You're depressed? Just get over it!" Easier said than done, right? Or here's a favorite, "They have a pill for that now, you know."

Unfortunately, such naïve armchair psychology rarely works for someone suffering from the very real plight of depression. All it does is seek to trivialize depression and characterize depressed people as "whiners" who have nothing better to do than to "complain about their lives." But the truth is, depression is a very real problem. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that, on any given day, 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression. And depression rates continue to increase – for example, kids exhibit depression at nearly ten times the rate of previous generations. Theories abound as to why depression rates are increasing, but regardless of the cause, this scourge continues to rob its victims of happiness, joy, and the capacity to give and receive love.

So why Depression For Dummies, when there's already a glut of self-help books on the market peddling so-called cures and remedies for depression? Because this book satisfies the need for a straight-talking, no-nonsense resource on depression. The only agenda of Depression For Dummies is to present you with the facts on depression and explain the options for dealing with it. Rest assured, this is no infomercial in a yellow and black cover.

Here's just a sampling of what you'll find in Depression For Dummies:

• Demystifying the types of depression
• Discovering what goes on in the body of a depressed person
• Detectingand diagnosing depression
• Seeking help through therapy and medication
• Modifying depressed behavior and solving life's headaches
• Dealing with depression resulting from grief and relationship issues
• Cutting through the hype of alternative treatments for depression
• Moving beyond depression: Avoiding relapses and pursuing a happy life
• Top Ten lists on getting rid of a your bad mood and helping your kids and other family members out of depression

So, whatever your level of depression – whether you suffer from occasional bouts or you find yourself seriously debilitated by depression – Depression For Dummies can give you the insight and tools you need to once again find enjoyment and happiness in life. All it takes is one step.

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Read a Sample Chapter

Table of Contents

Read a Sample Chapter

Depression For Dummies

John Wiley & Sons

Chapter One

In This Chapter

* Looking at depression

* Calculating the costs of depression

* Treating depression

* Going beyond depression

Like solitary confinement, depression isolates those who experience it.
Alone, fearful, and feeling powerless, sufferers withdraw. Hope, faith, relationships,
work, play, and creative pursuits - the very paths to recovery - seem
meaningless and inconceivable. A cruel, inhuman punishment, depression
incarcerates the body, mind, and soul.

Though depression feels inescapable, we have a set of keys for unlocking the
jail cell of depression that confines you or someone you care about. You may
find that the first key you try works, but more often than not escape requires
a combination of keys. We're here to help - we have a big ol' ring of keys to
pass around.

In this chapter, we clarify the difference between sadness and depression;
they're not the same. Next, we show you how depression looks among various
groups of people. We calculate the costs of depression in terms of health,
productivity, andrelationships. We tell you about the treatment options for
depression. And finally, we offer a glimpse of life beyond depression.

Just Singing the Blues or Depressed?

Life delivers death, divorce, disaster, disease, disorder, disgrace, and distress.
Inescapable and inevitable. Even if nothing else goes wrong, you're
eventually going to die. Expecting to live a life absent of sharp episodes of
sadness, despair, or grief is unrealistic. In fact, without times of sorrow, how
would you truly appreciate life's blessings?

Yet, misfortunes and loss need not lead to depression. What's the difference?
Sadness and grief lessen in intensity as time passes (see Chapter 2 for more
information about grief and types of depression). Sadness and grief may
seem fairly overwhelming when they occur. But time does eventually heal.

Unlike episodes of despair, depression involves deep guilt and loss of self-esteem.
People suffering from depression feel hopeless, helpless, and unforgiving
of themselves. Depression disrupts the body, often impacting sleep,
appetite, concentration, energy, and sex. And depression profoundly diminishes
the ability to love, laugh, work, and play.

Depression is a mood disorder in which a person feels profoundly sad, joyless,
despondent, and unable to experience pleasure. Depression comes in
various types that have somewhat different symptoms. We describe these
categories of depression in Chapter 2, but all involve a low mood or diminished
sense of pleasure.

The Varying Faces of Depression

Depression doesn't discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of race,
social class, or status. Typical symptoms of sadness, loss of energy and
interests, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, and changes in appetite and sleep
appear in men, women, children, and the elderly. Such symptoms also manifest
themselves across different cultures. However, a depressed preschooler
may not exactly look the same as a depressed 80-year-old.

In Chapter 2, we dissect the various categories of depression. In this chapter,
we show you how depression looks in different people at different life stages.
The cases we present in this chapter, and throughout this book, don't represent
real people. However, they're loosely based on the people we've worked
with in our collective careers.

Young and depressed

Depression can be found among children of any age, from preschool through
young adulthood. Experts agree that the rates of depression in youth have
skyrocketed. A recent study among college students at Kansas State University
found the percentage of depressed students doubled over a 13-year period.
The rates of depression in children are likely underreported because parents
and professionals often fail to recognize the problem. Children rarely spontaneously
report depression to others. Instead, they more typically remain
unaware of their feelings, which manifest themselves through changes in
their behavior, appetite, and sleep.

Mackenzie's mom surprises her by bringing cupcakes to school on her
eighth birthday. The teacher leads the class in singing "Happy Birthday," but
Mackenzie barely smiles. After quickly devouring the two overloaded trays of
cupcakes, the kids all race out to the playground for recess. Mackenzie trails
behind.

Mackenzie's teacher approaches her mother, "I'm concerned about Mackenzie.
She seems quiet and less interested in her schoolwork. I often see her alone
on the playground. She doesn't raise her hand in class like she used to,
either. Is something wrong?"

When children are depressed, they lose interest in activities that they previously
enjoyed. If you ask them if they're sad, they may not be able to connect
their feelings with words. However, they will show various signs of depression,
such as low energy, sleep problems, appetite changes, irritability, and
low self-esteem.

Watch children at play for subtle signs of depression. Depressed children
may weave themes of death or loss into their play. All children's play includes
such themes on occasion, but dark topics show up more often in kids who
are depressed. You may need to observe kids over a period of time because
their moods change. They may not look as continuously depressed as adults
with depression. Their moods may fluctuate throughout the day. Consult a
professional if you have any doubts.

Is grandpa grumpy or depressed?

Some people view old age as inherently depressing. They assume that upon
reaching a certain age, quality of life deteriorates. In fact, there is some truth
to these assumptions: Old age brings increases in illness and disability and
losses of friends, family members, and social support. Therefore, some sadness
is to be expected.

Nevertheless, depression is absolutely not an inevitable consequence of old
age. Most symptoms of depression in the elderly mimic those of depression
in anyone. However, the elderly are a little more likely to focus on aches and
pains rather than feelings of despair. Furthermore, they commonly express
regret and remorse about past events in their lives.

Depression interferes with memory. If you notice increased memory problems
in grandpa or grandma, you could easily chalk the problem up to the worst-case
scenario - Alzheimer's or dementia. However, such memory problems
can be the result of depression.

And depression in the elderly increases the chances of death. Yet, if asked
about depression, elders may scoff at the idea. Denying depression, the elder
person may not get needed treatment.

Elderly men are at particularly high risk of suicide. Men older than 60 are
more likely to take their own lives than any other combination of age and
gender. If you have any doubts, check the possibility of depression with a
doctor or mental health professional.

Real men don't get depressed, or do they?

Most studies show that men get depressed about half as frequently as
women. But then again, men tend to cover up and hide their depression;
they feel far more reluctant to talk about weaknesses and vulnerabilities than
women do. Why?

Many men have been taught that admitting to any form of mental illness or
emotional problem is unmanly. From early childhood experiences, these men
learn to cover up negative feelings.

Scott looks forward to retirement from his job as a marketing executive.
He can't wait to start traveling and pursuing long-postponed hobbies. Three
months after he retires, his wife of 20 years asks for a divorce. Shocked, yet
showing little emotion, Scott tells his friends and family, "Life goes on."

Scott starts drinking more heavily than usual. He pursues extreme sports. He
pushes his abilities to the limit in rock climbing, hang gliding, and skiing in
remote areas. Scott distances himself from family and friends. His normal
even temperament turns sour. Yet Scott denies the depression so evident to
those who know him well.

Rather than own up to disturbing feelings, men commonly turn to drugs
or alcohol in an attempt to cope. Some depressed men express anger and
irritation rather than sadness. Others report the physical signs of depression,
such as lack of energy, poor sleep, altered appetite, and body aches, but
adamantly deny feeling depressed. The cost of not expressing feelings and
not getting help may account for the fourfold greater rate of suicide among
depressed men than women.

Women and depression

Why do women around the world appear to suffer from depression about
twice as often as men? Biological and reproductive factors may play a role.
The rate of depression during pregnancy, after childbirth, and prior to
menopause is higher than at any other time in women's lives.

However, cultural or social factors likely contribute to women's depression
as well. For example, women who have been sexually or physically abused
outnumber men with similar experiences, and such abuse increases the
likelihood of depression. Furthermore, risk factors, such as low income,
stress, and multiple responsibilities like juggling housework, childcare, and
a career, occur more frequently among women than men.

Janine gently lays her baby down in the crib. Finally, the baby has fallen
asleep. Exhausted after a challenging day at work, she desperately longs to
go to bed herself. But, laundry waits, the bills need to be paid, and the house
is a disaster. Six months ago, her husband was called to active duty in the
Army Reserves and life hasn't been the same since. Janine realizes her overwhelming
fatigue and loss of appetite are due to depression setting in.

Depression and diversity

Everyone experiences depression in unique ways. Attempting to generalize
about depression based merely on ethnicity or membership in a certain
group can lead to misperceptions. But risk factors for depression include
discrimination, social ostracism, poverty, and major losses (like loss of a job
or loved one). And unfortunately all these risk factors occur more frequently
among minorities. Being different may take the form of race, culture, physical
challenge, or sexual orientation.

In addition to these risk factors, many groups face special obstacles when
dealing with depression. For example, some ethnic populations have limited
access to mental health care because of language differences, embarrassment,
economic difficulties, and lack of nearby facilities. More resources
designed at helping these groups access care are clearly needed.

Adding Up the Costs of Depression

Depression has existed since the beginning of humankind. But today depression
is a worldwide epidemic. No one knows why for sure, but the risk of
depression for those born after World War II has mushroomed.

Estimates vary considerably, but today depression appears to occur in 15
to 20 percent of all people over the course of a lifetime. Furthermore, in
any given 12-month period, somewhat under 10 percent of the population
experiences an episode of significant depression. And at this very moment,
an estimated 121 million people are suffering from depression throughout
the world. That's an awful lot of people.

Guess what? Estimates on depression are only rough approximations. Because
most people with depression fail to seek treatment and many folks with
depression don't even realize they're depressed, reliable statistics are few
and far between. Whatever the real figures are, huge numbers of people
suffer from depression at some point in their lives. And depression has all
kinds of costs associated with it.

Counting cash costs of depression

The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a statistic called the Global
Burden of Disease (GBD) that puts a number on the worldwide economic cost
of various diseases. Depression is now the fifth largest contributor to the
GBD. By the year 2020, the WHO predicts that depression will be the second
most costly disease.

The financial cost of depression is staggering. In the United States alone, the
National Institute of Mental Health pegs the price tag of depression at $43.7
billion per year.

Where do these costs come from? Depressed people miss work more often
and get less done when they do work. Parents of depressed kids may have
to miss work to get their children to treatment appointments. Treatment also
represents part of the total tab, but remember that alleviation of depression
increases productivity, reduces absenteeism, and reduces medical costs. (See
the section "Detailing depression's physical toll" for more information about
medical costs of depression.)

Previewing personal costs of depression

Economic facts and figures do little to describe the human costs of depression.
The profound suffering caused by depression affects both the sufferer
and those who care. Words can't adequately describe these costs: