I am one the the 9.5% (18.8 million American adults) that suffer from depression. I know that my depression is not from a chemical imbalance but just from life. Everyone sometime in their life will be affected by depression, after the birth of a child, death of someone you know, etc.
My depression started in mid 1997. I was 17 (1996) when my mom, who was also my best friend, passed away. I don't think I really ever dealt with it and so it just kept growing and consuming me. When I was 18 I was put on Prozac, which I found that if you're not chemically imbalanced it makes you even worse, and I just went even worse into a depression. I didn't leave my house, kept my curtains closed, and I wouldn't eat. After I got off the medication I felt better (for a little while).
I have been to a few therapists and been on two different antidepressant medications (Prozac and Paxil) and I haven't felt much of a change. Like I said I have battled it for so long I have been able to manage until lately. I am not able to focus, I can't deal with much and I have been very short with my temper. I joined a gym to try and help but I don't like the gym I'm going to.
I know that it will go away soon but until then It's not much fun. When I get this way, I noticed that it gets worse every time. I will not ever do any antidepressant medications again because of the side effects I had trying to get off of Paxil. Antidepressants work for some people but just was not the case for me.
There are many causes for depression:
- Trauma-death of someone you know, or injuries to yourself.
- Childhood abuse-physical, emotional, or sexual.
- Genetics.
- Instabilities at home.
- Birth of a child.
But I have been doing some research and I have also found a very scary number here. Pre-schoolers are the fastest growing market for antidepressants. Now that's a bit crazy, that seems to me like parents who say their kid suffers from ADD when really they just need more attention.
If you are depressed, I think you should find a therapist BEFORE you go on medication. Sometimes just talking to someone you don't know is they key. I have yet to find a therapist that I mesh well with. You should also talk to you primary care physician for a referral. But please try the therapist before anything else. I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND CANNOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE!
Here are some web sites that you may find helpful:
Uplift Program
About.com
Teen Depression
Health Center
There are many more sites to choose from. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, talk to them and if needed do an intervention.