Help for Depression

You can overcome depression. Never give up! Photo: Hendrike, 2004.

Some who have been abused as children have experienced relief from depression after being able to talk to sympathetic listeners about their experiences over an extended period of time. There needs to be healing from abuse, and this is true of adults or teens who may be abused by spouses or others.

In considering the thought of the role of a "chemical imbalance" and depression, what is being measured is the chemical nature of the mind itself after the thoughts have been established. In other words, we are considering as much the effect as we are the cause.  

It is generally agreed by serious psychiatrists and those in the mental health professions that medications are, in general, treating and addressing symptoms, but they are not in any way curing an "illness". This thought is well documented. Martin S. Willick, M.D., a practicing psychiatrist in New Jersey, USA, and a co-host of a recent (April 2009) meeting on mental health at Columbia University stated that we know that "medicine addresses the symptoms but does not treat the disease." This is a statement reflective of the current evidence on the limits of psychiatric medications.

More on the medical model and holisitic models of psychology, moods and behavior.

Diagnosed when a person is depressed mood for most of the day, most days, and at least two other depressive symptoms, but not of sufficient persistence or severity to be considered major depression. No manic or hypomanic episodes.

Symptoms of Depression or Major Depression

One or more major depressive episodes in absence of any manic or hypomanic episodes. Symptoms consist of a prominent and persistent depressed mood or loss of pleasure for at least two weeks, accompanied by four or more symptoms such as poor appetite, insomnia, psychomotor retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, inability to concentrate, and thoughts of death or suicide.

If a person is depressed but experiences less than four of these symptoms, is not having feelings of suicide or of hurting oneself, then the depression would not be considered major depression but mild to moderate depression.

New Link & Study: SSRI Antidepressants 'Clinically Insignificant' For Most People - Off-site link

Most persons  feel sad at times, but in major depression, it is intense and of long duration, causing difficulties in functioning day to day.

The University of Arkansas Medical Department states, as for most mental disorders, that research indicates there is no single cause of depression, but that it results from complex interactions among multiple factors.

Some  factors that can contribute to depression:

• Stressful life events
• The loss such as the death of a loved one.
• Romantic losses
• A promiscuous lifestyle for some can contribute to depression.
• Current or former substance abuse.
• Some studies suggest that "chronic strains," ongoing relatively low-key  stressful situations may lead to depression in some
• Several stressful situations coming in a series can also lead to depression such as a romantic relationship, doing poorly on a test, losing one's job, a major family crisis, etc.
• The thwarting of a major goal can contribute to depression for some.
• Early parental loss can contribute to a predisposition towards depression in some.
• Child abuse can contribute to a predisposition towards depression forsome.
• Some physical conditions can lead to depression.
• Having an abortion can result in depression for many women, and  surprisingly for men as well. See Psychology Today, May/June 2004. Sometimes that grief that comes as a result of abortion can be long-term.
• Situations that lower self-esteem be a contributing factor
• The need for a more healthy diet and exercise.
• A genetic predisposition can also predispose certain persons towards depression, in conjunction with any of the above or other stressors.

"A warm caring relationship with a parent or caring adult acts as a protective factor against depression. Young adults who have lost a parent before the age of 16 experience more depression and suicide attempts than those adults who came from intact families. Consistent nurturance from another adult, however, can lessen these negative reactions." Lillian M. Range, PhD. Children's Health.

Major Depression in a child:

The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, (MDD), or major depression, a child or teen must have experienced one or more major depressive episodes. This might be from 2 weeks to 1 year in duration and can be characterized by extreme sadness or hopelessness, thoughts about death or dying, loss of energy, inability to sleep, or concentrate. The same is true in the case of adults as well.

Many of these self help skills can have a positive effect for both adults, teens and children.

One of the causal factors for depression can be child abuse which can take on many forms, both verbal, and physical as well as sexual. These are a possibility in both childhood and adult depression. Adults need to talk about these things, if they have taken place in the past, and children do as well. Healing and comfort is needed for emotional wounds of child abuse, more than anything else.

Diet plays a role in depression. A healthy, nutritious diet, low in sugar in low in refined carbohydrates is needed for children and adults. Children need breakfast. Breakfast in school is often high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Children need a healthy breakfast at home, before going to school. Some children are more sensitive, and this is true of adults as well. Some adults suffering with depression might eat only one meal a day, not necessarily nutritious.

Excessive television and movies, and video games,can be a factor for some children, and adults, in both depression, ADHD, and other mental health disorders. For some experiencing mental health problems, it might be better to do without TV and movies completely. It is a measure that can be implemented for six months, to see if it does not contribute to better mental health in children or adults.

The stimulation with many action movies and the fast pace of television commercials, can correspond with a plummet in levels of key neurotransmitters, resulting in depression or even contributing to bipolar disorder. For children, cartoons and children's movies, Disney, etc, can be contributing to depression, for some children, and it might be an area that a parent can give attention to.

There is much violence on Television for children and young people today. Even Disney channel has some rather intensely violent (non-cartoon) programming for children and young teens.

The average child will:

• Watch 4,000 hours of TV before they enter kindergarten.
• Are exposed to 20 to 25 acts of violence per hour on Saturday morning TV programs intended for children.

See Adults and Children Act Against Violence website for more information. - off-site link

This can be true of music as well. For some, a steady auditory diet of radio rock and roll is too much for their minds. Dr. Joel Robertson’s advances the idea that music effects brain chemistry, and so the type and intensity of the music one listens to can lead to depression and other disorders in some persons, and some children.

Spiritual and emotional needs are important for good mental health and in overcoming depression. Photo: Microsoft

Spiritual Needs: Attention to one's spiritual needs is also an essential, often overlooked part of one's mental health. This is true of both adults, teens and children. Reading the Psalms is a stabilizing and comforting activity. The deep emotions of men who experienced inner turmoil, and their profound emotional expressions, often reflect one's own inner sentiments, and there can be idenity with such deep poetic expressions. It can be a gentle and soothing part of the healing process.

Anyone who is attempting to come off antidepressants or other psychiatric medications should do so gradually rather than abruptly. See Newsweek article How to Quit the Cure. Off-site link.