Program & Services

Depression

When it's more than just the blues

Depression Is More Than Just the Blues

Depression can start out as the blues, or feeling sad. Everyone feels sad from time to time. Sadness can happen after stressful events. It lasts for a short time. A bad day or an argument can make you feel sad for a while.

If the sad feeling does not go away, you may have more than just the blues. If it gets in the way of your daily routine, you may have more than just the blues. Sadness or stress can lead to depression. Depression affects the way we eat, sleep and live our lives. Without help, signs of depression can last for weeks, months or years. Depression is a serious medical condition. Head and stomach aches can be a part of depression. Depression can be life threatening.

Every year, more than 19 million Americans get depression. Men, women and children from all walks of life can get it. But many don't get the help they need. People miss the early warning signs or think they have a physical problem. Or they think they should be able to "just get over it" But this is not true. The good news is that most people who get help can get better.

Causes of Depression

Doctors do not know what causes depression. It is thought that it could run in families. Major losses or setbacks could make it worse.

Doctors know that depression is not a sign of weakness. People with depression can not just snap out of it. Depression is no one's fault.

Depression Checklist

Some common signs of depression are:

• Always feeling sad or empty.
• Loss of interest in things you used to like to do.
• Weight gain or loss that is not on purpose.
• Slowed movement or feeling restless.
• Too much or not enough sleep.
• Loss of energy.
• Feeling worthless or guilty much of the time.
• Being unable to think, remember things or make decisions.
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide.

If you have any of these signs for more than two weeks, you may be depressed. Contact your health care provider for help or information.

Treatment Is Available

The most common treatments for depression are:

• Talk Therapy. This means talking with a counselor about ways to deal with the challenges in your life. Research shows that it does not take very long for most people to feel better.
• Medicine. Medicines for depression are very helpful. Most people will start to feel better in a few weeks.
• Or both. Talking and medicine can be better than either one by alone.

There are also other kinds of care. Ask your provider about them.

What Should I Do If I Think I'm Depressed?

Follow these steps:

1. Make a list. Write down any signs of depression you have. Write down your questions about depression and its treatment.
2. Talk with a health care provider. Plan a visit with your health care provider or a mental health professional. Share your list of signs and questions about depression. Tell them about any medicines you are taking.
3. Choose the right treatment. Ask your health care provider to tell you about the risks and benefits of treatment. Also ask about the type of treatment that is most likely to help you.
4. Learn more. Your provider or local mental health association can tell you where to find more information. You can also get information from:
   • National Mental Health Association, 1-800-969-NMHA (6642) or www.nmha.org
   • National Institute of Mental Health, 1-800-421-4211 or www.nimh.nih.gov
   • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, www.dbsalliance.org
5. Tell your provider how you are doing. Once you are in treatment, make sure your provider knows if you are feeling better or worse. Ask questions about how you are doing. Do not stop taking any medicine when you start to feel better. Never stop taking medicine without talking with your doctor first.

Practice Guidelines

These guidelines suggest the best treatment for certain medical conditions. Magellan tells providers about its guidelines. The adopted depression guidelines are:

• Magellan's Introduction to Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. To learn more, log on to www.MagellanHealth.com (click "I'm a Provider"), then click the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" link under Providing Care - Clinical Guidelines.
• American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Second Edition. To learn more, log on to www.appi.org or call 1-800-368-5777.
• American Psychiatric Association's Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Second Edition. To learn more, log on to www.appi.org or call 1-800-368-5777.

GET HELP RIGHT AWAY IF YOU ARE THINKING OF HURTING YOURSELF OR OTHERS.