Depression affects millions of people. Twelve percent (12%) of men and twenty percent (20%) of women will experience an episode of major depression during their lives. Sometimes the depression lingers, with up to thirty nine percent (39%) of people still experiencing symptoms after one year, and with twenty two percent (22%) of people remaining depressed two years later. Ten million people in the United States are taking prescriptive antidepressant medication, and untold numbers are “self-medicating” with alcohol and other substances.
Those suffering from depression feel sad or empty nearly every day. They no longer enjoy or are interested in most activities. They experience extreme fatigue, loss of energy and have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Sleeping and eating patterns are disrupted. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive inappropriate guilt and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide are common.
Some people have recurring episodes of major depression throughout their lives. Fortunately, research has produced a very effective treatment for prevention of relapse into depression. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines the latest understanding of modern science, cognitive restructuring, and forms of meditation providing a treatment shown to cut the risk of relapse by half for those having experienced several episodes of major depression. This treatment also suggests strategies for relief of those experiencing their first episode of depression. Depression is a painful, debilitating and sometimes dangerous condition; however proper treatment often provides favorable results.
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