by Christine Masssie

Created on: July 13, 2009

Everyone has a bad day, or week, or even month once in a while. Mostly these little blue spells are caused by situational angst, a loss of a job or a loved ones, the ending of a relationship or tough economic circumstances,. When these things hit, usually our survival instincts kick in, we grieve or rage or reach for the coping mechanisms that have helped us through tough times in the past. But depression is different. Depression comes when are coping mechanisms quit working for us. As the weeks turn to months and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, family and friends begin to ask uncomfortable questions like why can't you just snap out of it? and doling out advise like if you just get up and get moving you'd feel better. How do you explain to anyone who hasn't experienced depression, that some days the biggest triumph you can muster is taking a shower?

Clinical depression requires professional intervention. Asking a depressed person to get over it is like asking a person with a broken leg to just shake it off and walk. Neither piece of advice is very helpful.

Counselors, medical doctors, and psychiatrists have several choices in their approach to treating depression. there are several classes of drugs they can prescribe today that have only been available in recent years. Many patients report positive responses within just a few weeks of receiving treatment, for others, it may take a bit longer to find just the right drug in just the right dose to begin to alleviate the symptoms. Some patients need only to take the medication for a short time before they find they can use other methods to control their depression. For others, long term drug therapy may be in order. Finding a doctor that is willing to partner with the patient to find the best solution for them is key to living with diagnosed depressive disorders.

While drug therapy may be beneficial in getting the patient some immediate relief, studies show that counseling coupled with the medication provides the best hope for long term remission of depression. There are as many different types of therapy as there are people that have depression. Don't be discouraged if the first person you try counseling with is not the right person. Try several therapists within a group until you find someone you feel comfortable with. Try a different group if you need to. It's a professional relationship, not a personal one, so don't feel that the therapist will be offended if they just aren't the right person for you.

There are many other things that you can do to help yourself to feel better. Your doctor can advice you on the benefits of a good diet and an exercise program. Natural endorphins and good nutrition can go a long way toward keeping your body in a long term state of well-being. However, when you are in the depths of despair, don't fool around. Untreated depression can kill you as easily as any other fatal disease. Get the help you need to feel better.

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