I get confused with all the terminology. And I’m a Psychiatrist. I can imagine how hard it’s for you.
Here are a few definitions & explanations:
ANXIETY:
A feeling of fear or worry with no reason. You can not actually be anxious 
about something. You can be worried or fearful of something.
PHOBIA:
Is an over valued fear. It may be irrational but not completely illogical.
PANIC:
Anxiety on steroids. It’s more than a feeling. It’s anxiety accompanied by bodily reactions such as sweating, increased heart rate.
SADNESS:
A feeling of loss sadness is very similar to mourning. Sadness can be a loss of something that you never had. It may be realization that you’ll not get what you wanted.
DEPRESSION:
Is prolonged unexplained sadness. Depression exhibits itself in the way that you feel, think & think.
MILD DEPRESSION:
Depression where you can still function. Essentially we’re seeing a diminution in quality of life. This condition is often called Dysthymia.
SEVERE DEPRESSION:
Depression with a diminution of functioning. We are no longer discussing just quality of life. There’re objective changes in the way that you behave with friends, family or work [or its equivalent].
EMOTIONS:
A composition of the way that you think & feel. Emotions are a reaction to a specific event.
MOODS
When an emotion exist after the event has terminated you’re in a mood. Your mood will effect your emotions.
WHEN DOES A MOOD BECOME DEPRESSION?
When you can not change your mood by changing your actions or environment.
COPING
Is the way that you behave to reduce stress.
COPING SKILLS
Are the admixture of experience & coping styles.
COPING STYLES
Are the way that you think feel & act in given situations. Often you’re unaware of your thoughts. You may well make assumptions that are inappropriate. Over forty five percent of the population feels that they would like to improve the way that they cope.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF BEING DEPRESSED?
Over twenty percent of the population will suffer from depression in their lifetime.
HOW LONG AND OFTEN CAN YOU BE DEPRESSED?
Depression can take months to pass. It will re-occur on average three times.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES?
a. Drug [Medication] Therapy: Drug therapy should always be offered if a person is severely depressed
b. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a effective as drug therapy in treating mid depression. The most used, recommended form of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.[CBT]
c. Coaching, Online Self-Help: Is designed specifically to change coping skills & coping styles. CBT can be offered effectively as Online Self-Help. It’s now enhanced by Online one on one meetings. Coaching is CBT presented in a ‘teaching format’.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?
a. Severe depression: You should make medications your first choice. On feeling better & well enough improve your coping skills & styles to stop a relapse.
b. Mild depression: If you believe in medications then use them. If you do not, then use psychotherapy. On feeling better & well enough improve your coping skills & styles to stop a relapse.
c. .Moods: You should be either using psychotherapy or improve your coping styles & skills.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
a. Medications: There are side effects. There is more. They are bearable. They appear at the beginning of therapy & get less. You’ll start feeling the effect of medication after a few days. You’ll feel the full effect after a few weeks. You need to take the medication for six months. You should cease medication under supervision. Otherwise there may be side effects. On ceasing medication you’re prone to relapse.
b. Psychotherapy: The effects are more immediate. And so… Sadness tends to diminish. Quality of life increases. There is more. The chances of relapse are lessened.
c. Online Self-Help, Coaching: An almost immediate increase in feeling of coping. Quality of life will rapidly start to improve as moods lessen. This method is specifically designed to increase quality of life & stop relapse.
myRay:Free Online Self-Help CBT : http://www.myRay.com
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