A BIT ABOUT DEPRESSION ...
Do You Really Know
What Depression Is?
What Depression Isn't!
Depression is not a sign of a weak personality, nor is it something to be ashamed of. It is a real medical illness. People with depression cannot "just snap out of it" -- no more than it would be possible for a person with an HIV infection, diabetes, or some other medical illness to "just snap out of it."
From my earliest memories of dealing with this I can recall my well-intentioned mother, or a family member who did not know any better saying things like I was "CRAZY" or some other words that caused me to feel LESS THAN others in my own age group who seemingly were not suffering from this. People with negative, less-than-supportive attitudes and "cover-up" agendas are NOT good for the person suffering from depression and their words do not promote healing or even a better understanding. Look out for well-meaning, sour-tongued loved-ones.
The good news is that depression can be treated effectively.
Concerned About Your Mental Health?
In a recent survey, gay men reported that depression was their most serious health concern after HIV/AIDS. Lesbians reported that the issue of depression and mental health was their number one health concern.
There may be some basis for this concern. Research has shown that gay men and lesbians may have higher rates of depression when compared with the general population. Homophobia may be part of the reason-both internalized homophobia (directed against oneself)as well as the homophobia many gay people encounter at school, work, home, and in society at large. As a gay person in a homophobic society, being in or out of the closet can carry its own set of pressures and problems.
Understanding Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad. People who are clinically depressed are not just moody or feeling "blue" for a few days. They experience long periods of feeling very down -- or in some cases, very anxious or extremely tired -- for several weeks or months. Drug and/or alcohol abuse may also be signs of depression. Becausedepression can change the way a person feels, thinks, and behaves, it can have negative effects on all aspects of a person's life, from school to work to family and social life.
What Causes Depression?
In addition to external, societal factors that may contribute to depression, there are other reasons why a person might become depressed. These include traumatic life experiences such as the death of a loved one, certain diseases or medications, substance abuse, hormonal changes, or a family history of depression. Sometimes the cause of depression is unknown.
Whatever the circumstances, depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Normally, these "chemical messengers" help nerve cells communicate with one another by sending and receiving messages, and they may also influence a person's mood. In the case of depression, the available supply of the chemical messengers is low, so nerve cells can't communicate effectively.
Antidepressant medications such as LEXAPROwork by helping to correct the imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. These medications may take several weeks to be effective, but they work well and are generally safe. With just one 10 mg tablet a day, LEXAPRO significantly improves the symptoms of depression and anxiety for many patients beginning at week 1 or 2.5
References: 1. Depression and mental health emerge as major concerns for the community: community health survey reveals top concern of gay men and lesbians. HealthyPlace Gender Community.
What Depression Is?
What Depression Isn't!
Depression is not a sign of a weak personality, nor is it something to be ashamed of. It is a real medical illness. People with depression cannot "just snap out of it" -- no more than it would be possible for a person with an HIV infection, diabetes, or some other medical illness to "just snap out of it."
From my earliest memories of dealing with this I can recall my well-intentioned mother, or a family member who did not know any better saying things like I was "CRAZY" or some other words that caused me to feel LESS THAN others in my own age group who seemingly were not suffering from this. People with negative, less-than-supportive attitudes and "cover-up" agendas are NOT good for the person suffering from depression and their words do not promote healing or even a better understanding. Look out for well-meaning, sour-tongued loved-ones.
The good news is that depression can be treated effectively.
Concerned About Your Mental Health?
In a recent survey, gay men reported that depression was their most serious health concern after HIV/AIDS. Lesbians reported that the issue of depression and mental health was their number one health concern.
There may be some basis for this concern. Research has shown that gay men and lesbians may have higher rates of depression when compared with the general population. Homophobia may be part of the reason-both internalized homophobia (directed against oneself)as well as the homophobia many gay people encounter at school, work, home, and in society at large. As a gay person in a homophobic society, being in or out of the closet can carry its own set of pressures and problems.
Understanding Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad. People who are clinically depressed are not just moody or feeling "blue" for a few days. They experience long periods of feeling very down -- or in some cases, very anxious or extremely tired -- for several weeks or months. Drug and/or alcohol abuse may also be signs of depression. Becausedepression can change the way a person feels, thinks, and behaves, it can have negative effects on all aspects of a person's life, from school to work to family and social life.
What Causes Depression?
In addition to external, societal factors that may contribute to depression, there are other reasons why a person might become depressed. These include traumatic life experiences such as the death of a loved one, certain diseases or medications, substance abuse, hormonal changes, or a family history of depression. Sometimes the cause of depression is unknown.
Whatever the circumstances, depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Normally, these "chemical messengers" help nerve cells communicate with one another by sending and receiving messages, and they may also influence a person's mood. In the case of depression, the available supply of the chemical messengers is low, so nerve cells can't communicate effectively.
Antidepressant medications such as LEXAPRO
References: 1. Depression and mental health emerge as major concerns for the community: community health survey reveals top concern of gay men and lesbians. HealthyPlace Gender Community.
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