Doctors do you think Depression?
494108
There are definite changes in the way the brain works when a person is depressed:\n\n1. Modern brain scans that can look at how 'hard' the brain is working have shown that some areas of the brain (such as at the front) are not working as well as normal.\n\n2. Depressed patients have higher than normal levels of stress hormones.\n\n3. Various chemical systems in the brain may not be working correctly including one known as the serotonin or 5-HT system.\n\nAntidepressants may help to reverse these changes. Unfortunately there is no brain scan or blood test that can be used to diagnose when a person has a depressive illness. The diagnosis can only be made from the symptoms. Generally speaking a diagnosis of depression will be made if a person has a persistently low mood that significantly influences their everyday life and has been present for two weeks or more, and there are also three or four or more other symptoms of depression. \n\nStress can lead to you to feeling 'down' and 'miserable'. What is different about a depressive illness is that these feelings last for weeks or months, rather than days. In addition to feeling low most or all of the time, many other symptoms can occur in depressive illness (though not everybody has every one). These include:\n\n-Being unable to gain pleasure from activities that normally would be pleasurable.\n-Losing interest in normal activities, hobbies and everyday life.\n-Feeling tired all of the time and having no energy.\n-Difficulty sleeping or waking early in the morning (though some feel that they can't get out of bed and 'face the world').\n-Having a poor appetite, no interest in food and losing weight (though some people overeat and put on weight - 'comfort eating').\n-Losing interest in sex.\n-Finding it difficult to concentrate and think straight.\n-Feeling restless, tense and anxious.\n-Being irritable.\n-Losing self-confidence.\n-Avoiding other people.\n-Finding it harder than usual to make decisions.\n-Feeling useless and inadequate - 'a waste of space'.\n-Feeling guilty about who you are and what you have done.\n-Feeling hopeless - that nothing will make things better.\n-Thinking about suicide - this is very common. If you feel this way, talk to somebody about it. If you think somebody else might be thinking this way, ask them about it - IT WILL NOT MAKE THEM MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE.\n\nWhat causes depression?\n\n-We do not fully understand the causes of depression.\n-Genes or early life experiences may make some people vulnerable.\n-Stressful life events, such as losing a job or a relationship ending, may trigger an episode of depression.\n-Depression can be triggered by some physical illnesses, drug treatments and recreational drugs.
872906
Absolutely yes.  Depression responds very well to correct treatment.  This may or may not include medication.  \n\nCorrect treatment is cognitive behavioral done by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.  A Licensed Clinical Psychologist is someone with a PhD in Clinical Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology who has taken your state's licensure exam and now has the right to use this legally protected term.  These (and only these) are the people qualified to do therapy.  Most others who are definitely not qualified, use various unprotected terms like therapist or psychotherapist.  These people can't help you and may make you worse out of sheer ignorance.  Go to the correct professional to get treated.  They will use treatments proven through experimental research to help people like you (with a high efficacy rate I might add).  Medication should be managed by a Psychiatrist (not a primary care doctor). A Psychiatrist is an MD who specializes in the treatment of mental illness, mostly through medication.  Treatment with these types of medications require alot of specialized knowledge in order to be done correctly.  Although a primary care MD (ie your family doctor) is well within his scope to treat you with these, he really doesn't have the training or experience to do this effectively.  If you have serious depression like you would if you experience anhedonia, you really need the help of both a Psychiatrist and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.  The two together can help you.
470982
depression is a mental disease, so no. if you have diabetes or cancer is it a sin? it is time for society to see depression as a real disease and not something people just decide to have.
196519
Considering all the people taking Prozac & other antidepressants, it would seem to be depression.
60171
Depends on a lot.  Not all of us are the same, not all of our problems or solutions are the same.  In my opinion there is no shame in going to get help if you need it.  No different than going to an M.D. for a medical illness.  On the other hand many seek self treatment, or other forms of support, and that is ok too, it it is effective for them.  Above all a depressed person should not buy into the idea that they are "wrong" or "different".  I have battled depression in my life, I think everyone has.  I have faced it in many different ways.  If you are seeing a psychiatrist already, I urge you to discuss this question and the answers you get, before taking action.  One thing I know for certain is that depression can be dangerous and even deadly.
48602
You need to see a doctor and be honest with your symptoms. In all likelyhood it is depression and the doctor can help with counseling and medications. Don't wait and think it will get better.
313494
If you have not already sought out help from a mental health professional I stongly suggest you do so.  Depression is extremely common and it can be managed by therapy and/or medications.  Either pinpointing the source through therapy or finding the right medications for you may allow you to enjoy those things you once used to.
873460
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DN99999
1057761
well i dont know how bad your depressions are and how long you got them now, but you should have a therapy and sometimes you have to get at least some kind of medication to get a therapy started. but i understand that you dont like the medication!i wouldnt like it either...well to give you some kind of advice, if you are depressed its important for you to have goals in your life! the worst would be if you dont have anything you work for....just make yourself any kind of goals oyu want to reach (doesnt ahve to be huge goals, start with something small), get yourself a hobby to keep you busy. dont know like a sport maybe or some craft stuff...i dont know how old you are so i dont know what kind of goals you could take yourself....but this is something really important...i would talk about the medication stuff to you doctor and tell him you wanna make a therapy and tell him your not into those medication stuff, he knows you better than i do, so i cant tell you if it would be ok for you to just stop it. i know people who would have killed themselves if they wouldnt have been on medication, so medication is not always bad, sometimes when you get depressed or depressions get too bad, you just need them...
1163386
Ever hear of the power of suggestion? Studies show that patients who are depressed typically worsen in their condition as opposed to those who are not.
641293
a doctor comes to mind.
417676
It sounds like you are describing depression.  Why not schedule an appointment with your doctor for a complete physical to see if you have a medical basis for these feelings or to find out if you are suffering from depression.
3618
no.  there are brain scans about levels of seratonin which is a nurotransmitter which they think is related to depression, but since the brain is so complex, there are many factors and variables.  if you feel depressed, you should try talking to a therapist.
193597
fIRST OF ALL,IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION YOU DON'T GO SEE A REGULAR DOCTOR! tHEY CAN'T RELATE! Sorry I had caps lock on.\nYou need to first go to a psychologist for an evaluation and can be referred from there to see a specialist. The psychologist is capable of diagnosing and ordering meds for you if neccesary. Meditation also works for some people,but I would stongly suggest that you see someone who is able to evaluate the extent of your depression.
867677
Have you seen a doctor about it?
495004
If you do go to see a doctor watch out they like to prescribe antidepressants for everything now. You go to see a medical doctor and windup seeing a psychologist.
708856
Pms? or you're experiencing depression, talk to a doctor.