Newsletter

May 1, 2007 Keeping An Open Mind

The statistics are stunning: over 20 million people a year suffer from depression! Most of them will probably not even seek help. Many of those apparently don’t even realize that they have a mental illness. There are many who most likely think things are just going badly for them or have accepted that this is the way they have always felt.

By now most Americans realize that being depressed is not just feeling down because your team lost a game or your vacation got cancelled. Stories about depressive illness and its criteria have been published in magazines, appeared in television news shows and, thanks to the ever present sponsorship of drug companies, come up frequently on commercials.

In this month’s Newsletter I distinguish between 4 different types of depressive illness and some of the treatments used to cure or control them.

I welcome your comments or questions about this topic or any other topic you might be interested in. You can email me at StanHyman@AventuraStressRelief.com.

Please consider sharing this newsletter with friends or family that might be interested in the subject.... Please read on

Types Of Depression

Depression refers to a deeply felt sense of sadness or despair that tends to overwhelm a person. It may have started out as a dark feeling but has progressed to an illness that affects every aspect of the person’s life.

Clinical depression is different from having “the blues” in that it is all consuming and requires treatment. Depressive illness or clinical depression impacts on everything: sleeping, eating, and energy level, ability to work effectively, mood, cognitions (thou... Please read on

Treating Depression

Treating depression early and effectively can prevent it from becoming more severe and lasting longer. The type of depression a person is suffering with will determine the best choice for treatment.

Major Depression and Dysthymia can be treated with both psychotherapy and medication. Most people respond well to these in combination. Psychotherapy should focus on learning coping strategies, problem solving skills, challenging negative mindsets and changing critical a... Please read on