"It is important to keep taking medication until it has a chance to work, though side effects may appear before antidepressant activity does."

"Questions about any antidepressant prescribed, or problems that may be related to the medication, should be discussed with the doctor."

Causes of Depression


Substantial evidence from neuroscience, genetics, and clinical investigation shows that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. However, the precise causes of these illnesses continue to be a matter of intense research.

Modern brain imaging technologies reveal that, in depression, neural circuits responsible for the regulation of moods, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior fail to function properly, and critical neurotransmitterschemicals that brain cells use to communicate are out of balance. Studies of brain chemistry, including the effects of antidepressant medications, continue to inform our understanding of the biochemical processes involved in depression.

In some families, depressive disorders seem to occur generation after generation; however, they can also occur in people with no family history of these illnesses. Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other nongenetic factors.
Very often, a combination of genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, a financial problem, or any stressful change in life patterns, whether the change is unwelcome or desired, can trigger a depressive episode in vulnerable individuals. Later episodes of depression may occur without an obvious cause.

"The first step to getting appropriate treatment for depression is a physical examination by a physician."

Day 108: Hidden in the deep

ansy posted a photo:

There's a few kids I know at my Youth Group that cut themselves. As a leader, it pains me so much to see them suffer and well, keep quiet about it. They only want a better life. Someone to love them. Someone to show them some form of attention.
If only they knew how much Christ loves them.

Nobody was hurt in the making of this image.

I'm sorry if it hits home, or causes any upset or offense to those around

"Combined use of medications and psychotherapy at the onset of treatment can confound evaluation of treatment effectiveness and the observed source of change."

Depression Treating

"John's wort, an attractive bushy, low-growing plant covered with yellow flowers in summer, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies."

Chronic Depression Anxiety

"Some clinicians treating men with antidepressant associated sexual dysfunction report improvement with the addition of bupropion (Wellbutrin) or sildenafil (Viagra) to ongoing treatment."

Anxiety Attack Depression Panic

"Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it."

Depression Support

"PsychotherapiesSeveral forms of psychotherapy, including some short term (10 20 weeks) therapies, can help people with depressive disorders."