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Depression Is a Serious Mental Illness That Needs Treatment
Depression is a serious mental illness that can have a profound impact on your life. It can affect your mood, thinking, behavior and relationships. It can also cause problems with your sleep and eating, and lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. It’s important to get diagnosed and treated right away because depression can be very dangerous for you and your loved ones.
Depression Is a Disorder That Needs Treatment
While most people have periods of feeling sad or moody, depression is a condition that lasts for weeks or months and often doesn’t have a clear cause. It can cause severe feelings of hopelessness or helplessness, a loss of interest in most activities and thoughts of suicide.
It can be triggered by a variety of events, including life changes or traumatic experiences. It can also be a symptom of other health conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia and medical illnesses.
Symptoms of depression include: sadness, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, trouble sleeping, weight loss or gain and low self-esteem. These symptoms can occur at any age, but they are more common in people older than 50 years of age.
Genetics, life circumstances and brain changes are factors that may increase your risk for developing depression. Your family history and the way you cope with stress also play a role.
Antidepressants (medications that increase the amount of chemicals in your brain) are usually the first treatment used for depression. They work by increasing levels of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters in your brain. These chemicals help transmit messages between your nerve cells and regulate how you feel.
Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants, sometimes in combination with other medications. Your doctor can also recommend counseling or talk therapy, which can be helpful if you are not taking medication.
Treatment can take time, but it’s worth trying. Medications and psychotherapy can improve your quality of life, reduce symptoms and make it easier to cope with your depression. But depression can come back, even with treatment.
Other Options
You may be able to treat your depression with other methods, such as meditation, yoga or acupuncture. These treatments are not a substitute for medical care, and your doctor should be aware of any concerns or side effects before beginning them.
Exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep are also important for managing depression. You can do these things by yourself or with others.
Behavioral medicine, also known as CBT, is another option for treating depression. This type of counseling helps you recognize and change negative thought patterns that can worsen your depression.
Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or herbal medicine, may also be useful. These therapies don’t replace medical care, but they can complement it.
Alternative therapies, such as chiropractic or hypnosis, can be helpful for some patients. These therapies can be helpful for reducing anxiety and improving sleep.
It’s a shame that so many people are affected by depression, but it’s also a disease that can be prevented by being aware of the signs and symptoms of the disorder and seeking treatment.
