Millions of people struggle with depression. In fact, more than 40 million new prescriptions were written for antidepressants during the year 2000. IMS Health, "By the millions," USA Today, July 8, 2002 . Whether it's triggered by holiday stress, lessening of daylight (SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder), grief, loss, guilt, hopelessness, menstrual cycle, childbirth, or other factors, depression has become so prevalent that it's been called "the common cold of mental illness." Center for Disease Control, Clemson Extension, "9 Symptoms of Depression," www.focusondepression.com.
Just as prevalent is the habit of medicating symptoms. Yet as one doctor warns, "Medication will take about 1 month to relieve depression. During that time period, a [person] may experience bothersome side effects from the medication while not receiving relief from the depression." Carolyn Janet Crandall, "Women and Depression," www.focusondepression.com.
Medication is not the answer to dealing with depression.
