Are you worried that someone in your life may be struggling with their mental health, even if they say they aren’t? Your friend or loved one may tell you that they are fine, but perhaps you feel differently. They may not be aware of how deeply they are suffering, or they may simply not be ready to discuss how they feel, or are unable to express it. Although it is important not to jump to conclusions regarding how others feel, and equally important not to judge them, your intuition about how your loved one feels can be traced to a valid concern worth bringing up with them.
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References
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, December 14). Mental health: What’s normal, what’s not. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from
Mindful Tom. (2021, December 4). 6 Signs You Should Check In on a Friend’s Mental Health. Retrieved from
Morin, A. (2021, February 17). Mental Illness Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from#toc-signs-and-symptoms
Riggio, R. E. (2015, May 5). 5 warning signs of mental health risk. Psychology Today. Retrieved from
Warning Signs of Mental Illness. American Psychiatric Association. (2018, July). Retrieved from
How to Overcome Depression – Symptoms, Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes
Although depression can seem like a shadow that consumes your life, it is treatable. By addressing the symptoms and finding treatment options, you can be free of the crippling effects of depression for good. These include therapy, medication, and healthy lifestyle changes. Read on to learn more. Here are some ways to start the healing process. Fortunately, many people are able to overcome their depression. The first step is determining whether you have depression in the first place.
Treatment options for depression range from a 12-week inpatient program to an intensive outpatient program. Outpatient programs are often less expensive and flexible than inpatient programs. Each program has its own structure and might require five to eight hours of treatment per day. Treatment may take several weeks or longer, but you can expect to make a substantial improvement in just a few sessions. Some individuals can be helped within the first two weeks. For others, it may take up to a year to see results.
The symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Some people experience few symptoms while others experience many or all. In order to be diagnosed with major depression, people must have at least three of the symptoms. However, even those with just one or two distressing symptoms may benefit from treatment for subsyndromal depression. The frequency and severity of symptoms will depend on the severity of the depression and the stage at which it is present. As one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., it is essential to understand what factors contribute to depression and its symptoms. Most people recover from depression without medication.
The type of medication your doctor prescribes for you depends on your symptoms and other medical conditions. It may be worth trying several different types of medicines and combinations to see which one works best for you. While antidepressants are the first choice for treating depression, they can be used in combination with other treatment options. Some of the more common antidepressants include SSRIs and other antidepressants. While these medications may help, they do not cure the condition. If you have a long-term history of depression, your doctor may prescribe some of them together.
While women tend to experience more bouts of depression than men, the fact remains that depression can affect both sexes. Taking the time to make your life healthier can improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of depression. Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for depression. But you must remember that neither method should replace the other. Always consult a healthcare provider if you think you may be depressed. So, it’s important to take a step toward recovery.
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is a treatment for major depression that involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain. ECT is most commonly reserved for patients who have failed to respond to other treatments. Patients undergo electroconvulsive therapy for depression if they don’t respond to antidepressants or have failed to respond to other methods. People may benefit from RTMS or TMS, which involve passing powerful magnetic currents through the brain. The treatments are more effective than ECT, but have not been proven as an alternative to ECT.
