Depression
Depression and Women
Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression. The lifetime prevalence of major depression is 24 percent for women; it’s 15 percent for men. One in four women will experience clinical depression in her lifetime. The hormonal and life changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage, the postpartum period and menopause may contribute to, or trigger, depression.
During the postpartum period, many women feel especially guilty about having depressive feelings at a time when they should be or are expected to be happy. In fact, one in ten mothers meets the criteria for depression in the postpartum period. It’s extremely important to talk about postpartum feelings, as untreated postpartum depression. can affect the mother-child relationship and, in severe cases may put the infant’s or mother’s life at risk.
Depression and Men
Although men are less likely to suffer from depression than women, three to four million men in the United States are affected by the illness.
Men are less likely to admit to or seek help for depression, and doctors are less likely to suspect it. Depression in men is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially acceptable habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as being irritable, angry, and discouraged. Even if a man believes he may be depressed, he may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Support and encouragement from family and friends can make a difference. For more information, visit, NIMH. National Institue of Mental Health.
Depression and Other Illnesses
Depression often co-exists with other mental or physical illnesses. Substance abuse, anxiety disorders and eating disorders are particularly common conditions that may be worsened by depression. A great deal of research is currently underway into the relationship between depression and physical illnesses. Several recent studies have noted that when co-existing depression is treated, prognoses are substantially improved for conditions such as heart disease., AIDS cancer, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. It is important to tell your doctor about all of the symptoms you are experiencing and all other illnesses for which you are receiving treatment.  For more information, click here
How does depression differ from bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorde, also known as manic depression, is a treatable medical illness where a person’s mood alternates between the "poles" of depression and mania, a heightened energetic state.

Treatments for Depression
Treatment of depression may include medication, talk therapy, or other strategies that you and your health care provider may want to try.  The right treatment is the one that works best for you.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance does not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment or medication for mood disorders. For advise about specific treatments or medications, individuals should consult their physicians and/or mental health professionals.

The good news is that of all psychiatric illnesses, depression is one of the most responsive to treatment. With proper care, approximately 80 percent of people with major depression experience significant improvement and lead productive lives – even those with severe depression can be helped. Be patient and persistent. Do not give up hope and remember you are not alone. At DBSA, we’ve been there and we can help.

Medication
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dozens of medications to treat depression. These medications are divided into various classes; each one having a distinct chemical structure that acts on different chemicals in the brain. It is important to remember that all FDA-approved medications for depression are effective – they just don’t work the same for everyone. You should work closely with your doctor to determine which medication might be best for you. Sometimes this may involve trying more than one medication or a combination of medications. Never change your dosage or discontinue your medication without talking to your doctor.
Talk therapy
Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" is an important part of treatment of depression for many people. It can sometimes work alone in cases of mild to moderate depression or it can be used in conjunction with other treatments. People who are severely depressed may not be able to benefit from psychotherapy until their symptoms have been lifted through another means of treatment.
A good therapist can help you modify behavioral or emotional patterns that contribute to your depression. There are several types of psychotherapy: interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, group, marriage and family, to name a few. Research the different types and find one that is right for you. Psychotherapists, while highly-educated professionals, are not medical doctors and therefore cannot prescribe medication. If you or your therapist think you could benefit from medication, you need to see a general practitioner or a psychiatrist.
Herbal or Natural Treatments
Dietary supplements and other alternative treatments that are advertised to have a positive effect on depression regularly enter the marketplace. These alternative treatments include Omega-3, St. John’s wort, SAM-e and others. DBSA does not endorse or discourage the use of these treatments. However, remember that natural is not always synonymous with safe. Different brands of supplements may contain different concentrations of the active substance when processed in different ways and these alternative treatments may have side effects, so read labels carefully and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Recent studies have suggested that herbal treatments, such as St. John’s wort, may interfere with the beneficial effects of some medications. Be sure you tell your doctor about all of the medications or herbal remedies you are taking.
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