Depression: Frequently Asked Questions

Living with depression can be difficult for the person with the illness, as well as their friends and families...

...to help you understand more about depression and the devastating affects that it can have on the person with depression, as well as those around them, I have put together the top 5 most frequent questions that people ask me.

Here they are:

Q1: What is depression?

A: Depression is more than just a low mood - it is a medical condition, a serious illness that CAN be treated. It is normal to feel sad, low or moody when events happen in your life, such as the loss of a loved one or a relationship breakup.

But there are those people who experience these feeling so intensely and for long periods of time. These people may have depression. An interesting statistic is that depression is one of the most common of all mental health problems.

One in five people experience depression at some stage of their lives.

Q2: What is the difference between these "normal" feelings of sadness and the feelings associated with depression?

A: The INTENSITY and LENGTH of the mood is the difference. Let me explain.

Depression is much more intense than a simple bad mood, and lasts for at least two weeks or longer. Because of the intensity and length of the mood, a person with depression may find it difficult to fully function on a day-to-day basis. For example, they may neglect their health, avoid going to work or school and not even want to get out of bed.

Q3: Is there a cure for depression?

A: I have asked this question many times to the various mental health practitioners that I have encountered over my 20 year journey with depression. And the answer that I have most often been supplied with is "no".

But here is the most important part. Even though there may not be a cure for depression, there is absolutely nothing stopping a person with depression, from living a happy, fulfilling and successful life.

I am certainly living proof that if you get the right treatment for depression, then there is a great life ahead of you.

Q4: What is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder?

A: Both depression and bipolar are treatable illnesses. Bipolar disorder (which used to be called manic depression), involves extreme changes in mood - both periods of feeling low (depressed) and high (mania). This is why it is known as "bipolar" disorder as a person's mood alternates between "poles" of mania.

People with bipolar disorder have these extreme moods that may not relate to what is happening in their lives. But people with depression (that would be me!), do not experience these highs and lows - we just feel lousy all the time - until we obtain the correct treatment.

Q5: I think that someone I know has depression, what should I do?

A: This is a great question! Depression is an illness that requires treatment, just like any other illness.

depression-frequently-asked-questions

Think about it like this. If you know someone that seems to be always short of breath and has difficulty breathing, you may correctly think that they have asthma.

Now, do you think that it would be a good idea to just let that person's breathing continue to deteriorate or would you do something about it?

Of course, you would try to help that person by suggesting that they go to their doctor, or if they are reluctant to go, offer to go with them.

See the similarity? Both depression and asthma are illnesses that need medical treatment.

I had depression for at least 5 years before I was correctly diagnosed with the illness.

And to be totally honest, I went through living hell during those 5 years. My point being that early diagnosis of depression is essential to help someone you know.

The person whom you suspect has depression may avoid going to their doctor because they are ashamed or embarrassed. This is EXACTLY how I felt. I did not want to be labeled as having a mental illness such as depression, because that would mean I am crazy. Right? WRONG!

My depression has nothing to do with my sanity, but because of all the stigma that society has attached to mental illness, many people do not seek treatment, just as I didn't. This is a dangerous decision and may have fatal consequences.

depression-frequently-asked-questions

Depression must be treated. Encourage and assist the person in getting help.

This is what my best friend did. She made the doctor's appointment for me and went with me to the appointment. She took ACTION and I believe that by doing so, she literally saved my life.

If you think someone might be depressed, then please do something about it to help them...

..there is hope out there, and trained mental health people who can assist in the treatment of depression..

A person's depression will always be there, however, if you help them to seek treatment then their future will look so much brighter and they will feel happier and more content with themselves.

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