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If you, a family member or someone else you care about has a depressive disorder, you no longer have to feel alone. You should know that more than 20 million Americans are affected by depression or manic depression every year. You should also know that your greatest weapon against these illnesses is knowledge.

The Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance of Southeast Missouri (DBSA), can provide you with the knowledge–education and support vital to living a healthy, productive life. By joining DBSA you can:

• learn about cutting-edge treatment options
• join a DBSA support group and benefit from the experiences of those who have “been there”
• participate in the growing state advocacy movement
• learn the questions you must ask your doctor about treatment and support
• have access to a comprehensive collection of literature on depressive disorders, all written in easy-to-understand language
• learn how to live a full and productive life, even if a depressive disorder is part of your life

Why should you become informed about depressive disorders and DBSA?

With the help of psychotherapy and antidepressants, depression is cureable.

The average length of time from the onset of symptions to a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder is often prolonged. Knowing how to find support for this illness can significantly reduce this time.

Some symptoms of Depression may include:
– Sense of impending disaster or doom
– Reduced enjoyment and pleasure - void of emotions
– Physical complaints for which there are no organic causes
– Fatigue, staleness
– Loss of appetite
– Sleep disturbance
– Impairment of thinking and memory

Some symptoms of Bipolar Depression may include:
– Elated mood
– Extreme irriatability
– Over-spending
– Minimal sleep
– Feeling of grndiosity
– Rapid and excessive speech
– Rapid, unpredictable emotional changes

We Can Help.
Depressive disorders don't discriminate. Anyone—male or female, rich or poor, young or old—can be affected. DBSA’s mission reaches out to everyone. Because we are patients ourselves, we know, we care and we can help.

The core of our organization is our grassroots network of nearly 300 chapters and support groups across the country. These groups of people living with depression or manic depression, their families, and medical advisors have helped thousands of individuals. According to a recent, independently conducted survey of people attending DBSA groups, most said that attendance helped them comply with treatment.