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Depression has but one name

     Clinical depression and neurotic disorders are the most common examples of mental imbalance. Its main symptoms are a bad mood, a general physical and mental slowdown, sleeplessness at night and sleepiness during the day and mood swings causing a person to feel worse in the morning and better in the evening.
     Depression is often linked with the feeling of sadness and in most cases this is true, but sometimes it is masked by other ailments. Masked depression is difficult to diagnose even for doctors as it may appear in the form of sleeplessness, anxiety, headaches or feelings of pain in almost any part of the body. Sometimes these are stomachaches or precordial pains, palpitation or even skin itching.
     Mental disorders often accompany somatic ailments. It is estimated that 50 to 80 per cent of hospital patients suffering from somatic ailments has various psychopathological symptoms. Statistics demonstrate that 17 per cent of the whole world population have had depression at least once in their lifetime. This suggests the problem is serious. How can it be dealt with?

Pharmacotherapy
     There are many antidepressants which may be prescribed by a doctor. However, it must be taken into consideration that according to research a quarter of patients stops taking medications due to numerous side-effects they cause.

Phytotherapy
     Herbs are beneficial in treating depression as they are safe and have few side-effects. The main herb used in treating depression is St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) which, apart from improving a patient's mood, soothes aches and cramps in alimentary canal. St John's wort produces the best results in winter when there is little sunshine.
     The root of ginseng is another herb used in treating depression as it stimulates a patient's mind, reduces tiredness and increases his or her resistance to stress. Both the herbs are present in Depribon preparation. If anxiety prevails in depression, it is beneficial to use Nerwobon whose ingredients are the main sedative herbs, i.e. the root of valerian, the Blue Passion Flower and hops.
     Depression does not recede fast and it may be treated for months before there are any results.

Psychotherapy
     This kind of therapy may have very beneficial effects but it must be conducted by a specialist such as a psychologist or a doctor.

The most important issue is saved for last: a delicate mood swing may be dealt with on one's own but a serious clinical depression must be treated by a doctor.

Remember: depression is not to be trifled with - there are instances of committing a suicide.

Everyone can feel melancholy, i.e. a short lasting feeling of bad mood which lasts less than 2 weeks and does not disorganise one's life. If symptoms persist, a patient must consult a psychiatrist. The test prepared by the American Psychiatric Association is worth taking before deciding to visit a specialist. If 3 out of 10 questions are answered positively, one must consult a psychiatrist.

1. I am disheartened, low-spirited and sad.
2. Nothing seems to please me as it used to.
3. I think others would be better off if I were dead.
4. I think I am neither useful nor necessary.
5. I have noticed I am losing weight.
6. I do not sleep well at night.
7. I am restless - I cannot find a place for myself.
8. My mind is not as sharp as it used to be.
9. I get tired for no reason.
10. Future seems hopeless.