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Failure To Diagnose
Studies have revealed that of those individuals who do eventually seek help, only a fraction seek out a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of Depressive Illness.
More and more nonspecialists are learning to diagnose and treat depression, but too often, when medication is needed, it is not prescribed or is prescribed ineffectively. We are doing our best to educate professionals in depression's proper diagnosis and medical treatment. (For diagnosis and treatment of depression, see a psychiatrist vs. your family doctor.)
Correct Diagnosis, Wrong Treatment
When Depressive Illness is diagnosed, minor tranquilizers and sleeping pills are prescribed twice as often as the right medication; and even when the right medication is prescribed, dosages are frequently lower than those needed to achieve an adequate level of therapeutic benefit.
Correct Diagnosis and Correct Treatment Are Available
The principal medications used in treating Depressive Illness are SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and MAO inhibitors. Only patients with a Depressive Illness will experience a positive response, which may take up to six weeks. Lithium, a natural salt, is effective in the treatment of mania and, sometimes, of depression. On occasion, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is incapacitating, severe, life-threatening, or for those who cannot take or do not respond to antidepressant medications.
For proper diagnosis of Depressive Illness and administration of antidepressant medication, physicians expert in diagnosis and biochemical therapy (preferably a psychiatrist) must be consulted. All physical treatments incur the risks of side effects and make informed medical monitoring a mandatory part of all treatment.
Over 80 percent of those treated with these medications respond favorably, and most are able to resume normal activity. Many find psychotherapy or counseling useful as well.
How To Get Help
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Call the National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc., 1-800-248-4344, for up-to-date information on Depression and Manic Depression, for nationwide referral lists of university medical centers and physicians who specialize in the treatment of Depressive Illness, and for patient support groups.
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Discuss this information and your symptoms with your physician.
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Contact the Department of Psychiatry at your nearest university medical school to determine if they have or can recommend a mood/affective disorder clinic. If not, ask for their referrals to physicians in the community who specialize in the treatment of Depressive Illness.
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If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with Depressive Illness and treatment has not been effective within three months, get a second consultation, preferably from a physician who specializes in the treatment of this illness.
How To Make Life Easier
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Recognize that there may be certain times of the day when you feel better and use that to your advantage.
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Break large tasks into smaller ones; set priorities and take things one at a time; avoid taking on too much responsibility and setting overly difficult goals.
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Try not to expect too much from yourself so as to lessen any feeling of failure you may have.
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Activities such as exercise, attending sports or cultural events or participating in a religious or social event can help you feel better. It is important not to overdo it; feeling better takes time.
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Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. This kind of self-medication may provide a temporary "high", but in the end will intensify depression.
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If affected with Depressive disorders, you may feel exhausted, worthless, helpless and hopeless. You may feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these symptoms and negative thinking are part of depression. When treatment begins to take effect, the negative thinking fades.
Source: National Foundation For Depressive Illness
next: Living With Clinical Depression: The 'Common Cold' of Mental Health
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