Depression: More Than Just the Blues

Feeling unhappy or sad in response to disappointment, loss, frustration or a medical condition is normal and is known as situational depression, and is a normal reaction to events around us.  It is true that we all feel down once in a while, but when sadness grips you and won't go away, it may be clinical depression. More than just the "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to enjoy life and even to function. A person with severe depression has little or no interest in work or hobbies, and may even have trouble getting out of bed.  Clinical depression overwhelms your day to day life, and interferes with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have enjoy life.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

There’s a huge difference between feeling depressed and suffering from clinical depression. Clinical depression is described by sufferers as having a feeling of impending doom. These people feel they cannot get away from their unhappiness and despair.  Others with depression don't feel sad at all, but lifeless and empty and are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just going through the motions. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time.

How do I know if I am clinically depressed?

Here are some of the signs and symptoms that if they just won’t go away, may mean you are suffering from clinical depression:

• You can’t sleep enough or you sleep too much

• You can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult

• You feel worthless and hopeless

• You can’t control your negative thoughts

• You have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating

• You are constantly irritated or become enraged even at small things

• You have thoughts that life is not worth living

Treatments for Depression

Fortunately, there are numerous excellent medications available which can help you emerge from your depression for good.  Zoloft or sertraline is as effective for depression as older tricyclic antidepressants, but with fewer side effects.  It is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.  Serotonin, one of the chemical messengers which controls moods, is usually quickly reabsorbed after its release at nerve synapses.  Re-uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft slow this process down, boosting levels of serotonin available in the brain.  Evidence suggests that it may work better than Prozac for some forms of depression.  Though sertraline shares common side effects and contraindications of other SSRIs, it does not cause weight gain, and its cognitive effects are mild.  In addition, sertraline has safely and effectively treated millions of people with depression and certain anxiety conditions for over 15 years so it’s a product you can trust.  Ask your doctor if this medication or other SSRIs may be right for you.