Rinkoski said he is usually able to cope with discouragement. The common denominator is often patterns of self-destruction. He said when people are treated for anorexia or bulimia, the treatment frequently includes antidepressants. Depression, if recognized, is considered curable, although the treatment varies with the type of depression and from patient to patient. Medication, usually an antidepressant, can be prescribed, with lithium being the most useful drug for manic depression.
Patients can also use supportive, cognitive, behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapies.
With more extreme depression, a doctor may recommend electroconvulsive therapy. Although there have been students who have had to leave Drake in the past because of psychological problems, Peterson said the University is generally similar to most schools as far as rates of depression. One might wonder, considering recent events in the news, whether depression can lead to violence. Peterson said violent people may have felt unloved in their childhood and said their hurt may gradually grow into rage. Such anger can make them feel disconnected and therefore make them less likely to feel empathy for those they may threaten, Peterson said.