1. Am I Depressed?
The best way to know if you may be suffering from the symptoms of depression is to take a screening test. There is a free, confidential test provided on this site that will help you determine if you may need to see a doctor for further evaluation.
2. What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
If you have experienced five or more of the symptoms within the same two-week period, especially if a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure is among your symptoms, this could be indicative of an episode of depression.
3. What Is the Difference Between Clinical Depression and Sadness?
Sadness is a part of being human, a natural reaction to painful circumstances. All of us will experience sadness at some point in our lives. Depression, however, is a physical illness with many more symptoms than an unhappy mood. The person with clinical depression finds that there is not always a logical reason for their dark feelings.
4. What Causes Depression?
Studies indicate that depression is an inherited condition involving abnormalities in neurotransmitter functioning. Although inheritance is an important factor in major depression, it does not account for all cases of depression, implying that environmental factors may either play an important causal role or exacerbate underlying genetic vulnerabilities.
5. How Is Depression Treated?
There are a wide variety of types of therapeutic approaches, hospitalization, and medications such as antidepressants. Electroconvulsive therapy and self help methods for the treatment of depression may be very successful for some individuals.
6. How Long Will It Take for Me to Feel Better?
This first line choice will work for about 60% of people. Taking Prozac as an example, it takes around 5 weeks for you to feel the full effects of the drug. You may feel some benefit right away too. Your doctor will give you the specific information applying to your medication.
7. Where Can I Find Reliable Drug Information?
Gold Standard is a provider of drug information for many hospitals, pharmacies and medical schools across the U.S. so you can trust them to provide you with reliable and timely information about your prescription drugs.
8. What Can be Done to Prevent My Depression From Recurring?
Proper diet, exercise, taking time out for fun and relaxation, not overworking, and saving time to do things you enjoy may work together to prevent a depressed mood.
9. What Are the Different Types of Psychotherapy?
During psychotherapy, a person with depression talks to a licensed and trained mental healthcare professional who helps him or her identify and work through the factors that may be causing their depression.
10. How Does Depression Affect Women?
Major depression affects twice as many women as men. Many factors unique to women are suspected to play a role in developing depression. Research is focused on understanding these factors, including: reproductive, hormonal, genetic or other biological factors; abuse and oppression; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics.
