Depression

So my brother called me the other day obviously very depressed.  My brother always battles depression but this time it really didn't make sense.  At 29 years old he has never held a job for more than a few months and hasn't had any training or education to help him to get a good job.  Well, he started truck driving school a few months ago and is getting ready to graduate next week.  When he graduates he has multiple job opportunities to start out at 45,000 a year.  So I think he should be happy and excited not depressed.  His reason for being depressed was that he doesn't want to waste the next week in class when he's already passed his final.  He wants to go to work now.  I tried to explain to him that a week is not a big deal and he should be excited that in a week he will be making more money than he's ever made in his life.  I don't think I got through to him.
Depression can be a major problem to some people.  Everyone feels down at times but people with major clinical depression are often unable to get better without treatment.  They may have feelings of sadness that last for weeks, inability to sleep, appetite changes, loss of interest in things that normally bring pleasure, and thoughts of suicide.  Depressive disorders appear to have a genetic tendency as well.  This is obvious in my family because my father died from suicide and was an alcoholic.  Substance abuse can be another sign of a major depressive disorder.  All of my siblings, except me, have struggled with substance abuse, depression and thoughts of suicide.  When these things are seen in families it is critically important to seek treatment.
Treatment may include a combination of psychotherapy and medication.  There are many medications that are available to help with depression.  Most of these medications work by altering chemical levels in the brain.
If someone you know is battling depression it is important to take it seriously.  Do not minimize their feelings or make them feel guilty for feeling the way they do.  If you are depressed please seek help.  Depression is a serious medical condition and needs to be treated medically.  Some people feel that depression is all in your head may stereotype people who take medication for depression.  This is really sad.  Just because depression is not a physical illness that you can see does not mean that it is any less of a medical condition.