Sharing Parental Experiences

Just because you feel sad and depressed for a few days does not mean that you have depression. A serious condition that can last months or even years, that’s depression. According to various reports as many as fifteen million Americans suffer from this disease. The sad fact is that only a third of those Americans will ever seek help for their affliction. The age- old stereotype associated with mental illness influences many to still avoid admitting they suffer from depression. Depression gets worse with time. Without treatment it will take over your life. People should pay attention to the signs.

There are many types of depression and various factors can cause depression. It can by biological, genetic, physical and emotional. Simple daily life and surroundings are important. It can be caused by stress brought on by even more detrimental factors. Depression is a very complicated disease. As well, the human brain and its workings are quite complex. Work continues into the mind and brain and how they work, what makes them tick. It’s clear that it’s an imbalance of chemical compounds in the brain that creates depression. Researches learn more about this complex series of actions and reactions with passing time. Better treatments come from more knowledge.

Depression can be treated with a host of available medications. Of course the market is full of ‘quick fix’ antidotes. Clinical tests to prove something really works in treating depression are required. Not too long ago people who were considered mentally ill were thrown into asylums, never again to be seen or heard. Fortunately that has all been changed. The anti-depressant Prozac first came into use in the USA in 1988. It was proven to work, and thus is still prescribed today even though it can have serious side effects.

Since then a new class of anti-depressants has become popular as well. The SSRI or (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, and Luvox are all being used to treat depression today. All have been proven effective but come with varied side effects. Herbal medications also have a place in this market. Hyperforin, an ingredient in the St. John Wort extract, is common in those that seem to work as well as anti-depressants. Some herbal remedies don’t contain this ingredient in the proper strength so they don’t work. Research and information are your friends when it comes to the finding the right depression medications for your depression.