When Haskins's depression dragged on, the therapist suggested that she consider taking antidepressants. At first Haskins refused. "I don't even like to take aspirin. I thought I should be able to get it together on my own," she recalls.

But three months later, her mental health hadn't improved, and her boss was threatening to fire her. "I was so weary," she says. "I remember my therapist saying, 'Life doesn't have to be this hard.' Eventually I realized that maybe the drugs were a way out. Maybe they could help me rest for a minute.

"I agreed [to take the drugs], although at the time it felt like I was 'giving in.' I figured I would take them until they helped me remember what it felt like to feel happy. Then I would go off the medicine and pull myself up the rest of the way."

Haskins went on Prozac for three months. "It's supposed to take two weeks to work, but I started feeling better after only a few days," she says. "I got my act together, and my boss off my back. And I remembered what it felt like to be happy. I'm so glad I 'gave in.' "

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 19 million Americans suffer from depression. One in eight women (twice the rate of men) will have it during her lifetime. Some research suggests that twice as many Black women as White women are depressed. Despite such statistics, however, one study found that only 31 percent of Black folks believe that depression is a legitimate health problem. More than 60 percent of us think it's just a sign of personal weakness.

Are you one of the many African-Americans who underestimate this common medical condition? Take our quiz to find out more about this debilitating disorder. (Note: Some questions have more than one answer.)

*Name has been changed.

Answers to these questions can be found in the Related Story link above.

1. Which of the following can be signs of clinical depression?
a. Persistent sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness, or worthlessness.
b. Lack of interest in sex or other activities that you used to enjoy.
c. Restlessness and a feeling that people are getting on your nerves.
d. A change in eating habits; weight gain or loss.
e. Difficulty concentrating; forgetfulness; indecisiveness.
f. All of the above.

2. Which Americans experience the lowest rate of depression?
a. New mothers.
b. Happily married men.
c. White people.
d. Single people.
e. Happily married women.
f. A, C, and E.

3. Which of the following contributes to depression?
a. Genes handed down by your parents.
b. Lack of faith in God.
c. Stressful personal problems, such as divorce, layoff, health problems, and death of a loved one.
d. Changes in brain chemistry and cellular activity.
e. Certain medicines and illnesses.

4. Which treatments are effective for depression?
a. Physical exercise.
b. Psychotherapy or talk therapy.
c. Prayer.
d. Talking to your pastor.
e. Taking Prozac or other antidepressant medication.
f. Practicing extreme self-care, such as eating healthy foods, taking relaxing baths, getting massages, playing, exercising, or socializing with friends.

5. What types of health professionals treat depression?
a. Psychiatrists.
b. Psychologists.
c. Social workers.
d. Primary care physicians.
e. All of the above.

Again, for the answers, click on the Related Story above.

If you think you may be suffering from depression or want information about depression screenings, go here. Whatever course of action you choose, if you suspect you may be depressed, be sure to act quickly. Left untreated, depression can worsen or turn into a lifelong condition.

Have you ever been depressed? If so, tell us about how you recovered in the comments section below.

Hilary Beard is a Philadelphia-based writer

Published on: 09/08/2003


Answers to Our Depression Quiz

1. Which of the following can be signs of clinical depression?

F: All of the above. Other symptoms may include fatigue; feeling agitated and becoming more active than usual; persistent physical conditions that don't respond to treatment, such as headaches, insomnia, pain, or digestive problems; and thoughts of suicide or death. Symptoms can vary in duration and intensity. But if you've been experiencing five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more, you need to be evaluated.

2. Which Americans experience the lowest rate of depression?

B. Research shows that happily married men experience depression much less often than any other group, including happily married women. Married people have lower rates of depression than single people; however, if they are unhappy, they're likely to have the highest rates of depression. Ten percent to 15 percent of new moms experience postpartum depression.

3. Which of the following contributes to depression?

A, C, D, and E. Depression is a legitimate health condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. Other contributing factors include inadequate support systems; chronic illness; prescription drugs, including some that treat high blood pressure and gastrointestinal disorders; and the stress caused by racism, sexism, and poverty.

4. Which treatments are effective for depression?

A, B, C, E, F, and possibly D. Taking extremely good care of yourself is vitally important. Getting exercise, such as a daily walk, releases "feel good" chemicals into the brain. Studies also demonstrate that praying and being prayed for can have great restorative powers. For best results involving prayer, use it along with medical treatments such as talk therapy and antidepressants (more than 80 percent of patients can be treated successfully). Some people find talking to their pastor helpful; however, not all ministers are trained to recognize the signs of depression or to counsel depressed people (some wrongly believe themselves that depression is evidence of personal weakness).

Finally, some people have found certain alternative treatments--such as relaxation techniques; taking the herb Saint-John's-wort; ingesting omega-3 fish oils; aromatherapy (especially with bergamot, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, or rose scents); and listening to music--to be helpful. But do not substitute alternative therapies for diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional.

5. What types of health professionals treat depression?

E: All of the above. If you think you may be depressed, get a mental-health screening or make an appointment with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a mental-health professional or prescribe antidepressants. (A combination of counseling and antidepressants is most effective.) When you talk to your doctor about how you're feeling, be sure to use the word "depressed" rather than a culturally specific term such as "blue," "down," or "aching misery." Many physicians mistake physical symptoms such as insomnia and headaches for those of other conditions.






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