Expert advice on dealing with depression

If you find that you're worrying beyond reason, obsessing over events in your life, or pathologically afraid of certain things — like going outside or being around other people, you may have an anxiety disorder and thus an increased risk of depression. Here is information and suggestions on depression and how to handle it.

Researchers think that anxiety disorders may alter the way the brain releases and takes up serotonin, a chemical important to mood. Anxiety may also change your normal interactions and lifestyle so much that it triggers depression. Regardless, your best option is to seek out a therapist trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, which studies find is the best way to treat most anxiety disorders

If you've ever been diagnosed with major depression, a once-a-month psychotherapy session may be all that's required to prevent a recurrence. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a short-term form of counselling that focuses on resolving issues related to grief, role transitions or problems interacting with others.  Researchers randomly assigned 99 previously depressed women to this type of therapy weekly, twice a month, or once a month for two years or until they had another depressive episode. Just 26 percent of the women who completed the program saw their depression recur.

If you've had at least two episodes of major depression, or if you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer, talk to your doctor about continuing your antidepressant medication for longer than the recommended six months after the depression recedes. A review of several studies found about 60 percent of people are at risk of having another depressive episode within a year of stopping treatment, but just 10 to 30 percent of people who continue antidepressants will have a recurrence.

There are many reasons why depression sets in, some medical and some emotional. When it does seeking help may be tough but is necessary to ward off a recurrance.