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Depression

If there is one word that is overused, that word is depression. Everyone is depressed. Not true. Everybody gets depressed at some time or other. Also, not true. Everybody gets sad and blue. Absolutely true. But getting sad or blue for a few hours or even days, does not mean that you suffer from depression as a mood disorder.

When you're depressed you're more likely to.......

Feel sad or cry a lot.
Get irritated often.
Notice your sleep pattern changes. You may sleep too much, have trouble falling asleep, or awaken several times during the night.
Notice your eating pattern changes. You eat a lot less or a lot more.
Feel tired most of the time and lack energy.
Have trouble concentrating and can't make decisions.
Have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.
Stop going to class.
Not enjoy a lot of the things you used to like to do.
Feel hopeless or helpless.
Want to be by yourself most of the time.
Lose interest in sex.

Think about death or may have thoughts about committing suicide. Thinking about suicide is reason to seek immediate help.

What Causes Depression?

There is very strong evidence that depression reflects in part an underlying genetic vulnerability. This genetic vulnerability, however, is neither a necessary or sufficient condition for depression. Neurotransmitters in the brain and hormones in the endocrine system also play a role. Exactly what role is the subject of a tremendous amount of current research.

Stressful life events, especially life events involving loss, can trigger depression. Sometimes it is the cumulative effect of multiple stressors that trigger depression. Trauma during childhood or adulthood can contribute to depression.

Treatment of Depression

At CAPS depression is treated through psychotherapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Medication is very helpful when a person is experiencing physical symptoms. A student who sleeps too much or too little, who eats too much or too little, who can't muster the energy and motivation to get out of bed or go to class, is a student who can benefit from medication.

There are many different antidepressants. We know that antidepressants affect the levels of different neurotransmitters in the brain. To say, however, that depression is a chemical imbalance is to oversimplify the complexities of how our brains work.

Psychotherapy for depression takes a number of different forms. Cognitive therapy for depression involves changing maladaptive ways of thinking. Depressed people think depressed, that is to say, they overgeneralize or selectively focus on the negative events and discount positive ones. These are but a few of the many dysfunctional ways of thinking that are addressed with cognitive therapy.

Since loss is a major trigger for depression, therapy focusing on grief can be very helpful. Grief therapy focuses on helping the person accept the reality of the loss, express their feelings about the loss, and adapt to the changes precipitated by the loss. Death is one form of loss that contributes to depression. The breakup of a significant relationship is another.

When trauma occurs, depression may follow. When this happens, therapy focuses on helping the person cope more effectively with the trauma. Components of trauma therapy include exploring memories, facilitating the processing of painful feelings, and learning new ways of regulating feelings.

Finally, when depression arises from problems in interpersonal relationships, therapy focuses on developing communication and social skills and resolving conflict.

Getting Help for Depression

A student may get help for depression by calling CAPS for a telephone screening (see Scheduling an Appointment). The clinician conducting the phone screening appointment may recommend individual therapy, group therapy, and/or a psychiatric evaluation or may suggest a referral to a community mental health provider. If individual, group therapy, or a psychiatric evaluation at CAPS is recommended, an initial consultation appointment will be scheduled. If an evaluation for medication is needed, a referral to one of CAPS' psychiatric staff or a psychiatrist in the community may be made. Crisis walk-in services are available if you are unable to wait for a scheduled appointment.

If you are experiencing significant symptoms of depression or are thinking of harming yourself, please call CAPS and speak with the crisis walk-in therapist. For information about our hours please see Hours. You may also come immediately to CAPS, located on the second floor of the University Health Center. When CAPS is closed, you can always talk to an on-call crisis therapist after hours by calling the UGA Police at 706-542-2200 (see Crisis: During and After Hours).

Adapted from publication by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Depression Screening

Online Self-Assessment
(Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol, Eating Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress)

Additional Resources

More information about depressive disorders can be found at:

National Institute of Mental Health -- Depression
www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm

American Psychological Association - Depression
www.apa.org/topics/topicdepress.html

WebMD information on antidepressants and depression:
www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/antidepressants?ecd=wnl_day_073110

WebMD information on treating depression:
www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/treatment-tips

WebMD information on cognitive therapy for depression:
www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/cognitive-therapy

WebMD information on finding a therapist and ad vantages to treatment combining medication and therapy:
www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/finding-doctor-therapist

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Back to CAPS page Depression If there is one word that is overused, that word is depression. Everyone is depressed. Not true. Everybody gets depressed at some time or other. Also, not true. Everybody gets sad and blue. Absolutely true. But getting sad or blue for a few hours or even days, does not mean that you suffer from depression as a mood disorder.
When you're depressed you're more likely to....... Feel sad or cry a lot. Get irritated often. Notice your sleep pattern changes. You may sleep too much, have trouble falling asleep, or awaken several times during the night. Notice your eating pattern changes. You eat a lot less or a lot more. Feel tired most of the time and lack energy. Have trouble concentrating and can't make decisions. Have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. Stop going to class. Not enjoy a lot of the things you used to like to do. Feel hopeless or helpless. Want to be by yourself most of the time. Lose interest in sex. Think about death or may have thoughts about committing suicide. Thinking about suicide is reason to seek immediate help.
What Causes Depression? There is very strong evidence that depression reflects in part an underlying genetic vulnerability. This genetic vulnerability, however, is neither a necessary or sufficient condition for depression. Neurotransmitters in the brain and hormones in the endocrine system also play a role. Exactly what role is the subject of a tremendous amount of current research. Stressful life events, especially life events involving loss, can trigger depression. Sometimes it is the cumulative effect of multiple stressors that trigger depression. Trauma during childhood or adulthood can contribute to depression. Treatment of Depression At CAPS depression is treated through psychotherapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Medication is very helpful when a person is experiencing physical symptoms. A student who sleeps too much or too little, who eats too much or too little, who can't muster the energy and motivation to get out of bed or go to class, is a student who can benefit from medication. There are many different antidepressants. We know that antidepressants affect the levels of different neurotransmitters in the brain. To say, however, that depression is a chemical imbalance is to oversimplify the complexities of how our brains work. Psychotherapy for depression takes a number of different forms. Cognitive therapy for depression involves changing maladaptive ways of thinking. Depressed people think depressed, that is to say, they overgeneralize or selectively focus on the negative events and discount positive ones. These are but a few of the many dysfunctional ways of thinking that are addressed with cognitive therapy. Since loss is a major trigger for depression, therapy focusing on grief can be very helpful. Grief therapy focuses on helping the person accept the reality of the loss, express their feelings about the loss, and adapt to the changes precipitated by the loss. Death is one form of loss that contributes to depression. The breakup of a significant relationship is another. When trauma occurs, depression may follow. When this happens, therapy focuses on helping the person cope more effectively with the trauma. Components of trauma therapy include exploring memories, facilitating the processing of painful feelings, and learning new ways of regulating feelings. Finally, when depression arises from problems in interpersonal relationships, therapy focuses on developing communication and social skills and resolving conflict. Getting Help for Depression A student may get help for depression by calling CAPS for a telephone screening (see Scheduling an Appointment). The clinician conducting the phone screening appointment may recommend individual therapy, group therapy, and/or a psychiatric evaluation or may suggest a referral to a community mental health provider. If individual, group therapy, or a psychiatric evaluation at CAPS is recommended, an initial consultation appointment will be scheduled. If an evaluation for medication is needed, a referral to one of CAPS' psychiatric staff or a psychiatrist in the community may be made. Crisis walk-in services are available if you are unable to wait for a scheduled appointment. If you are experiencing significant symptoms of depression or are thinking of harming yourself, please call CAPS and speak with the crisis walk-in therapist. For information about our hours please see Hours. You may also come immediately to CAPS, located on the second floor of the University Health Center. When CAPS is closed, you can always talk to an on-call crisis therapist after hours by calling the UGA Police at 706-542-2200 (see Crisis: During and After Hours). Adapted from publication by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Depression Screening Online Self-Assessment (Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol, Eating Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress) Additional Resources More information about depressive disorders can be found at: National Institute of Mental Health -- Depression www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm American Psychological Association - Depression www.apa.org/topics/topicdepress.html WebMD information on antidepressants and depression: www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/antidepressants?ecd=wnl_day_073110 WebMD information on treating depression: www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/treatment-tips WebMD information on cognitive therapy for depression: www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/cognitive-therapy WebMD information on finding a therapist and ad vantages to treatment combining medication and therapy: www.webmd.com/depression/treating-depression-9/finding-doctor-therapist
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