Depression FAQ

The following Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) attempts to impart an understanding of depression including its causes; its symptoms; its medication and treatments--including professional treatments as well as things you can do to help yourself. In addition, information on where to get help, books to read, a list of famous people who suffer from depression, internet resources, instructions for posting anonymously, and a list of the many contributors is included.

Alt.support.depression is a newsgroup for people who suffer from all forms of depression as well as others who may want to learn more about these disorders. Much the information shared in this newsgroup comes from posters' experience as well as contributions by professionals in many fields. The thoughts expressed here are for the benefit of the readers of this group. Please be considerate in the way you use the information from this group, keeping in mind the stigma of depression still experienced in society today.

This FAQ was compiled and written by Cynthia Frazier with numerous contributions by others.

01 What is depression?: depression FAQ: 01 What is depression?

02 What is major depression?: depression FAQ: 02 What is major depression?

03 What is dysthymia?: depression FAQ: 03 What is dysthymia?

04 What is bipolar depression (manic-depressive illness)?: depression FAQ: 04 What is bipolar depression (manic-depressive illness)?

05 What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?: depression FAQ: 05 What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

06 What is Post Partum Depression?: depression FAQ: 06 What is Post Partum Depression?

07 How is bereavement different from depression?: depression FAQ: 07 How is bereavement different from depression?

08 What is Endogenous Depression?: depression FAQ: 08 What is Endogenous Depression?

09 What is atypical depression?: depression FAQ: 09 What is atypical depression?

10 What are the typical symptoms of depression?: depression FAQ: 10 What are the typical symptoms of depression?

11 What are the diagnostic criteria for depression?: depression FAQ: 11 What are the diagnostic criteria for depression?

12 What causes depression?: depression FAQ: 12 What causes depression?

13 What causes depression?: depression FAQ: 13 What causes depression?

14 What initiates the alteration in brain chemistry?: depression FAQ: 14 What initiates the alteration in brain chemistry?

15 Is a tendency to depression inherited?: depression FAQ: 15 Is a tendency to depression inherited?

16 What sorts of psychotherapy are effective for depression?: depression FAQ: 16 What sorts of psychotherapy are effective for depression?

17 What is Cognitive therapy?: depression FAQ: 17 What is Cognitive therapy?

18 Do certain drugs work best with certain depressive illnesses? What are the guidelines for choosing a drug?: depression FAQ: 18 Do certain drugs work best with certain depressive illnesses? What are the guidelines for choosing a drug?

19 How do you tell when a treatment is not working? How do you know when to switch treatments?: depression FAQ: 19 How do you tell when a treatment is not working? How do you know when to switch treatments?

20 How do antidepressants relieve depression?: depression FAQ: 20 How do antidepressants relieve depression?

21 Are Antidepressants just "happy pills?": depression FAQ: 21 Are Antidepressants just

22 What percentage of depressed people will respond to antidepressants?: depression FAQ: 22 What percentage of depressed people will respond to antidepressants?

23 What does it feel like to respond to an antidepressant? Will I feel euphoric if my depression responds to an antidepressant?: depression FAQ: 23 What does it feel like to respond to an antidepressant? Will I feel euphoric if my depression responds to an antidepressant?

24 What are the major categories of anti-depressants?: depression FAQ: 24 What are the major categories of anti-depressants?

25 What are the side-effects of some of the commonly used antidepressants?: depression FAQ: 25 What are the side-effects of some of the commonly used antidepressants?

26 What are some techniques that can be used by people taking antidepressants to make side effects more tolerable?: depression FAQ: 26 What are some techniques that can be used by people taking antidepressants to make side effects more tolerable?

27 Many antidepressants seem to have sexual side effects. Can anything be done about those side-effects?: depression FAQ: 27 Many antidepressants seem to have sexual side effects. Can anything be done about those side-effects?

28 What should I do if my antidepressant does not work?: depression FAQ: 28 What should I do if my antidepressant does not work?

29 Can someone build up tolerance to Prozac or other anti-depressants so that they stop working after a while?: depression FAQ: 29 Can someone build up tolerance to Prozac or other anti-depressants so that they stop working after a while?

30 What about the rumors and studies that Prozac causes suicide and/or acts of violence?: depression FAQ: 30 What about the rumors and studies that Prozac causes suicide and/or acts of violence?

31 On influence of Prozac: depression FAQ: 31 On influence of Prozac

32 If an antidepressant has produced a partial response, but has not fully eliminated depression, what can be done about it?: depression FAQ: 32 If an antidepressant has produced a partial response, but has not fully eliminated depression, what can be done about it?

33 What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and when is it used?;: depression FAQ: 33 What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and when is it used?;

34 Exactly what happens when someone gets ECT?: depression FAQ: 34 Exactly what happens when someone gets ECT?

35 How do individuals who have had ECT feel about having had the treatments?: depression FAQ: 35 How do individuals who have had ECT feel about having had the treatments?

36 How long do the beneficial effects of ECT last?;: depression FAQ: 36 How long do the beneficial effects of ECT last?;

37 Is it true that ECT causes brain damage?;: depression FAQ: 37 Is it true that ECT causes brain damage?;

38 Why is there so much controversy about ECT?: depression FAQ: 38 Why is there so much controversy about ECT?

39 May I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?: depression FAQ: 39 May I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?

40 If I plan to drink alcohol while on medication, what precautions should I take?: depression FAQ: 40 If I plan to drink alcohol while on medication, what precautions should I take?

41 What's the relationship between depression and recovery from substance abuse?: depression FAQ: 41 What's the relationship between depression and recovery from substance abuse?

42 What does the term "dual-diagnosis" mean?: depression FAQ: 42 What does the term

43 Is it safe for a person recovering from substance abuse to take drugs?: depression FAQ: 43 Is it safe for a person recovering from substance abuse to take drugs?

44 How do you know when depression is severe enough that help should be sought?: depression FAQ: 44 How do you know when depression is severe enough that help should be sought?

45 Where should a person go for help?: depression FAQ: 45 Where should a person go for help?

46 Where can I find help in the United Kingdom?: depression FAQ: 46 Where can I find help in the United Kingdom?

47 Where can I find out about support groups for depression?: depression FAQ: 47 Where can I find out about support groups for depression?

48 How can family and friends help the depressed person?: depression FAQ: 48 How can family and friends help the depressed person?

49 What should you look for in a doctor? How can you tell if he/she really understands depression?: depression FAQ: 49 What should you look for in a doctor? How can you tell if he/she really understands depression?

50 How may I measure the effects my treatment is having on my depression?: depression FAQ: 50 How may I measure the effects my treatment is having on my depression?

51 How can I help myself get through depression on a day-to-day basis?: depression FAQ: 51 How can I help myself get through depression on a day-to-day basis?

52 What are some books about depression?: depression FAQ: 52 What are some books about depression?

53 Who are some famous people who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder?: depression FAQ: 53 Who are some famous people who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder?

54 What are some electronic resources on the internet related to depression?: depression FAQ: 54 What are some electronic resources on the internet related to depression?

55 How can I post anonymously to alt.support.depression?: depression FAQ: 55 How can I post anonymously to alt.support.depression?

56 Sources: depression FAQ: 56 Sources

57 Contributors: depression FAQ: 57 Contributors

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