Florida Council of Catholic Women/Province of Miami at P. O. Box 1811, Labelle, FL 33975 US - DEPRESSION

“Snap out of it!” “Get over it!” “You don’t have any reason to feel blue.” These are just some of the statements that a victim of depression DOESN’T need to hear. Depression is a real illness, a chronic disease that affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. About 5% of the population of the United States is affected by depression at any given time. It is a recurrent condition that can be life-threatening. It can be caused by chemical, biological or environmental factors. There are many theories, many approaches to treatment, coming from the mental health field and the medical field, as well as approaches from a holistic or spiritual point of view. Have you taken a stroll through the self-help section of your favorite bookstore recently? Or, have you browsed the web for information about depression and mental health? There are thousands of books relating to this topic and even thousands more websites. The television delivers ads about depression and where we can seek help. Sadly, many who suffer from depression don’t recognize that they are depressed. Symptoms such as disturbed appetite or change in weight, disturbed sleep, fatigue or loss of energy, difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating, mood swings, feelings of worthlessness are all often symptoms of other illnesses or times of stress in our lives. While waiting for the symptoms to go away, the person sinks deeper into the state of depression. Treatment options are many and can involve antidepressant medications and/or psychological therapy. Experts have predicted that cases of depression will increase dramatically as we enter the new century. New treatment options will also be created and improved. What most experts agree upon, however, it that self-diagnosis and trying to treat one’s own depression is not advisable. It is a complex disease that often involves a variety of treatments to cure. For more information, I suggest these books: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, by Daniel G. Amen, M.D., The Depression Workbook, by Mary Ellen Copeland, The Beast: A Journey Through Depression, by Tracy Thompson. Also, check out these websites: Depression.com, drkoop.com, intelihealth.com, AllHealth.com.

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