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Dealing with Depression

© Robert M. Oliva

Depression is a very common condition in our society. Researchers estimate that 25 percent of women and 12 percent of men suffer from depression in the United States. Learning how to prevent and deal with depression in safe and natural ways can be an important step in maintaining a healthy and vigorous lifestyle.

Depressed or Sad?

All of us get sad from time to time. Usually this is a response to specific life events. We may be disappointed in a relationship or lose a significant person in our lives. Being sad is a normal reaction to life events. But when we are depressed the sadness deepens and continues for a prolonged time. We tend to lose interest in our daily lives.

The following symptoms are all signs of depression. If you experience four or five of them together for more than a few weeks, consult with a mental health provider or physician.

• Feelings of helplessness, guilt, and unworthiness;
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, and pessimism;
• Drastic change in appetite with rapid weight gain or loss;
• Fatigue and lethargy;
• Decreased or increased sleep;
• Unaccountable aches and pains;
• Thoughts of suicide or death (immediate consultation may be required);
• Loss of pleasure in your usual activities;
• Irritability or restlessness;
• Problems making decisions, concentrating or remembering.

Causes of Depression

Depression may come from many sources. For some it can start from the loss of a loved one or failing at some important task. For others, depression may come from a poor diet. Depression may be activated by a physical illness or from taking prescription medications. Intense physical and mental trauma may also induce depression. It is a complex disorder and demands a variety of interventions to counteract it.

As we get older we may experience many more losses than in previous years. Friends, spouses, relatives may die or become ill. We ourselves may have failing health or become more isolated than before. Even the normal decline in physical and mental functions may be upsetting to us. Our bodies just don't work as well as they did. We also tend to eat more sporadically and suffer nutritionally because our bodies are not absorbing certain nutrients very effectively, especially the B vitamins. For some of us, retirement or its prospect may confront us with new, unanticipated stresses. This can all add up to feelings of saddness or sometimes lead to depression.

In recent years, doctors have been treating depression increasingly with medications. SSRIs are a new generation of anti-depressant drugs (Prozac, etc.) that increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. For suffering severe depression, especially if accompanied by suicidal thoughts, medical intervention is appropriate. For milder cases, however, there are many natural and safe ways of lessening depressive symptoms.