Most of us have a happiness set point just as we have a set point in weight or basal metabolism. Most of our mood pattern, and definitely our tendency toward depression, is hereditary. But, regardless of this, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, financial problems, divorce, illness, alcoholism and drug abuse, unhappy marriages, and nowhere jobs can push a person into depression. Endogenous depression may suddenly develop for no apparent reason. The Good News Depression is not only the most common mental disorder but also the most treatable, with an 80-90 percent success rate.
Psychopharmacology is the new wave of psychiatry.
One of the newer texts contains over 500 pages describing some of the medications used in treating mental disorders. Serotonin is a chemical the brain needs for maintaining a good mood-SSRIs keep the level from being depleted. Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil are among the most prescribed SSRIs. The FAA does not presently certify persons who use mood-altering medication. The good news is that the FAA is willing to return virtually all clinically depressed pilots back to flying after successful treatment.