Life Changing Mindset

What are the symptoms of depression and when should drugs be used for treatment?

Like symptoms other than the obvious ones like feeling down.

When does someone get the point where help from medication is needed. I know someone who is suffering from a form of depression but is worried that the antidepression tablets will have worse side effects. Its hard to know if its severe depression or even depression at all.

Public Comments

1. When you stop doing the things you enjoy doing, and secluding yourself from your friends and the world, it's time to get on medication.

2. :\ im basicly doing everything the 1st answers says :(

3. According to the diagnostic and statistical manual IV, "Major depression" is classified as at least 5 out of the 9 symptoms, one of which must be:

1/ Feeling depressed/down
or
2/ Feeling like nothing interests you anymore - even things that you used to like doing

for most of the day, for most days of the week

The other 7 symptoms are:
Fatigue
Poor attention
Change in appetite/weight
Sleep changes (sleeping more or sleeping less with or without early morning wakening)
Everything slows down (the person moves slower, speaks slower, etc.)
Feeling excessively guilty / at fault / worthless
Suicidal thoughts/thoughts that life isn't worth living

Yes it is true that there are side effects to the medications, but if the person is quite depressed that it's affecting their life substantially, medications might be needed - if only to help them pick themselves up again.

This is especially the case if suicidal thoughts are involved as their safety is of significant importance.

However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that these medications take a long time to work.. at least 6 weeks for them to start to feel better. They may even feel worse after a week or 2. They also need to continue the medications for 12 months for it to be effective.

Counseling might be an option initially if the person you're talking about is wary about taking drugs and worried about their side effects, but if there is any indication of suicidal ideation, it could be quite serious and counseling might not be enough. All the best!

4. also if you are under 18 medication is not recommend but there is exceptions

5. bostonchick and John L provide solid guidance.
When I was telling my friends I had been diagnosed with depression, a couple of them said they'd seen signs that something was wrong but weren't sure they should tell me. I'm glad you're there to help this person out.

6. Change of appetite
Change of sleeping patterns, sleeping more or less
Not doing things you used to do/becoming withdrawn and being bored
Fatigue
Doing the little things become harder
Anxiety
You feel guilty for being a burden and feel like a failure
You look at the negative most of the time and can't think clearly.
You feel lost in this world and life is passing you by.
Unexplained physical pains, headaches, back pain etc.
Change in personal hygiene and appearance
Crying easily, feeling alone.

The doctor can do blood tests to see if there are physical reasons why a person may be depressed, i.e a chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression does not neccessarily have to be treated with medication though. A psychologist can work through the feelings and work with the person to improve.
Also, there are lots of websites with information on depression.

7. hopeless
alienation from friends and family
change in appetite
suicidal thoughts
feeling tired all the time
sleep pattern differs
anxiety
doesnt take care of oneself

everybody has the blues sometimes..but when it last more than week..thats when you need to seek help


8. There are several online resources for depression screening.
http://www.findingstone.com/services/tests/depressiontest.htm
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html
http://www.depression.medgrip.com

By using one or all of them you can have some basic idea.