RUTH, suffering from depression for many years now, says: "My husband and I seek medical treatment, we made changes in our habits and strive hard to create a routine that was not too tiring for me. It seems to find an effective remedy, and I'm feeling better. A stage where nothing seemed to work, which helped me not to give up was the ever-present love of my husband and friends. "
As shown in the case of Ruth, individuals suffering from clinical depression need to support all possible, including any appropriate medical treatment. * It is dangerous not lead to serious depression because, if untreated, can put the person's life at risk. About 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ acknowledged the value of the help of a professional when he said "the sick need a physician. ' (Mark 2:17) The fact is that physicians can do much to alleviate the suffering of patients with depression.
Some useful options
There are many treatments for depression, which vary depending on the symptoms and severity of disease. (See the box "What kind of depression?".) Many people may be helped by a doctor trusted family, but some need to be treated by a specialist. He may prescribe an antidepressant or recommend another way to help. Some people have had good results with herbal remedies, changes in eating habits and a specific exercise program.
common issues
- Well-meaning friends with little or no medical training might try to tell you what kind of treatment you should or should not accept. It may also have a preference for herbal or allopathic medicine, and pressure you to take them. Others may feel that they should not take any medicine.
Analysis: It is you who must make the choice, so be sure that the boards are from reliable sources.
- Discouragement may lead some patients to discontinue treatment because they perceive better or because of unpleasant side effects.
Review: "There is a frustrating of plans where there is no confidential talk, but in the multitude of counselors there is accomplishment." (Proverbs 15:22) The chances of a treatment to work are greater when there is good communication between doctor and patient. State your concerns to the doctor, describe your symptoms and ask if the treatment needs to be changed or if you should insist to improve.
- Overconfidence can make patients suddenly stop taking a medicine because they feel better after a few weeks. Perhaps they have forgotten how bad it felt before medication.
Analysis: Stopping suddenly a treatment without consulting a doctor can have serious consequences and even endanger life.
While the Bible is not a medical textbook, its author, Jehovah God, is our Creator. The next article will show how God's Word console and guides not only people suffering from depression, but also those who care for them.
WHAT KIND OF DEPRESSION?
The effectiveness of a particular treatment depends on the type of depression.
The deep depression causes symptoms so severe that can last six months or longer if untreated, affecting almost every aspect of life.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is marked by great emotional oscillation, alternating prolonged episodes of intense hyperactivity (mania) with deep sadness phase (depression). - See the article "How to live with a mood disorder" in Awake! of January 8, 2004.
Dysthymia is not as serious as the deep depression, but causes depressive symptoms that make it difficult for people to lead a normal life. Some may also experience periods of deep depression.
Postpartum depression is a debilitating emotional disorder that affects many mothers. - See the article "Better understand postpartum depression," in Awake! of June 8, 2003.
Seasonal affective disorder usually affects people during the fall and winter when there is less sunlight. They usually feel better in the spring and summer.