Depression is indicated if a number of symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks and are severe enough to interfere with the ability to carry out normal routines. Some of the more common symptoms include a lack of pleasure in things you once enjoyed, low moods, sadness, mood swings, feelings of hopelessness and despair, negative thoughts, lethargy, sleep disturbances, anxiety, pessimism, changes in appetite, avoidance of social contact, irritability, and emotional outbursts for no apparent reason.

Without appropriate help, the symptoms of depression can continue indefinitely so it is important to seek advice as early as possible. On the positive side, depression can be treated, but the very nature of depression can make it difficult to admit there is a problem in the first place and to get the right help in order to get well. The following represents some of the more widely available forms of help for depression.

Anti-depressants

Unless the depression is very mild, it is quite likely that some form of anti-depressant medication will be prescribed for a period of time. There are many different kinds of anti-depressants, no one understands exactly how they work, but it is thought that their beneficial effects are due to their ability to alter the activity of certain chemicals in the brain that help to regulate our mood. For example, Tricyclic antidepressants such as Anafranil and Surmontil appear to balance the natural neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors work by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain so that levels of serotonin are increased; probably the most well known form is Prozac. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors like Nardil inhibit the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which in turn increases the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.

Antidepressants take some time to work and what may work for one may not work for someone else as the effects can vary from person to person. If there is no improvement after several weeks or there are significant side effects, then another type may be prescribed until one is found that suits the individual.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on practical ways of dealing with specific issues. Sometimes negative thoughts, unrealistic expectations or pessimistic ways of looking at the world can contribute to feelings of depression and so by looking at how we view these things in detail and how this affects our behaviour as a result, we can learn to change the way we think and feel about them and consequently, how we react to them. This approach aims to help the individual find new and more realistic ways of coping with everyday problems and challenges.

Alternative and Natural Remedies

It is important to discuss the implications of taking any alternative or natural remedy with your GP first.

SAMe or S-Adenosylmethionine appears to help by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, for example, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. One advantage of taking SAMe is that if it is going to work, it will show results quite quickly.

St. John's Wort or Hypericum perforatum seems to work in much the same way as Prozac by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. One of the main concerns with St. John's Wort is that it does interact with other medicines and drugs so it is vital that you discuss the option of taking St John's Wort with your GP before you take it.

5-HTP or 5-hydroxytyptophan is a type of amino acid that can be converted to serotonin; it is believed to act as a mood elevator by increasing serotonin levels.

Essential Omega 3 fatty acids, in particular Eicosapentaenoic acid, which can be found in oily fish and fish oil supplements, has been found by many research studies to reduce the symptoms of depression and other mood related disorders including bipolar disorder and post natal depression. It appears to increase blood flow to brain, improve cognitive processing and increase serotonin levels.

Electro Convulsive Therapy

This is a controversial treatment involving a series of electric shocks to the brain. It is only used for extreme cases of depression that haven't responded to other forms of treatment. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), recommend that ECT is only used "for the treatment of severe depressive illness, a prolonged or severe episode of mania, or catatonia".

Conclusion

The right approach to alleviating any symptoms of depression is the one that works for the individual concerned and this will be different for each person and will depend very much on the type of depression, the symptoms, and whether the depression is mild or severe. If the depression is mild then it may be possible to get back to your old self without medication and by employing some self help techniques or by therapy and counselling. For any form of depression professional advice and an accurate diagnosis is essential in order to be sure that you get the appropriate help to put you on the right path to mental health and well being.