Symptoms Are Easy to Recognize

Symptoms of Depression and Manic Depression

The symptoms of Depressive Illness are highly recognizable, both to those affected and to those closest to them, once they are told what to look for.

• Loss of energy and interest.
• Diminished ability to enjoy oneself.
• Decreased -- or increased -- sleeping or appetite.
• Difficulty in concentrating; indecisiveness; slowed or fuzzy thinking.
• Exaggerated feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Recurring thoughts about death and suicide.

If most of these symptoms last for two weeks or more, you probably have Depressive Illness. Sometimes depression alternates with "mania" and is called Manic-Depressive Illness.

• A high energy level with decreased need for sleep.
• Unwarranted or exaggerated belief in one's own ability.
• Extreme irritability.
• Rapid, unpredictable emotional change.
• Impulsive, thoughtless activity, with a high risk of damaging consequences (i.e., stock speculations, sudden love affairs, etc.).

Failure To Diagnose

Studies have revealed that of those individuals who do eventually seek help, only a fraction seek out a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of Depressive Illness.

More and more nonspecialists are learning to diagnose and treat depression, but too often, when medication is needed, it is not prescribed or is prescribed ineffectively. We are doing our best to educate professionals in depression's proper diagnosis and medical treatment.

Correct Diagnosis, Wrong Treatment

When Depressive Illness is diagnosed, minor tranquilizers and sleeping pills are prescribed twice as often as the right medication; and even when the right medication is prescribed, dosages are frequently lower than those needed to achieve an adequate level of therapeutic benefit.