Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home. #shorts
Depression – What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
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Depression – What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
A physical exam and laboratory tests may help determine whether a patient is suffering from depression. In many cases, a psychiatric evaluation will also involve asking the patient about their symptoms, thoughts, and feelings. It may also include a questionnaire. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to determine whether a person is depressed.
Whether or not a doctor has diagnosed depression, people should seek treatment. The stigma of having a mental illness can drive people to hide their feelings, or even to mishandle substances to deal with their depression. But by seeking treatment, people can learn more about how to cope with their depression and get back to their regular routine. Most treatments for depression involve a combination of psychotherapy and medication. In psychotherapy, the person learns to manage their negative thoughts and behavior and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders, and treatment for most cases has positive effects on the sufferer. Approximately eighty percent to ninety percent of people with depression respond to treatment and gain relief from symptoms. To identify a diagnosis, a health care professional should interview the patient and perform a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that can cause depression or similar symptoms. In addition to medical reasons, the health professional will also consider social, cultural, and environmental factors.
Although many natural supplements are helpful, there are risks involved. Some of them have side effects and can interfere with prescription drugs, such as antidepressants and birth control pills. Talking to a therapist about any potential interactions with medications is recommended. However, some people may benefit from group, family, or couples therapy, where the individual can connect with others who share similar experiences. Antidepressants are generally the first choice of treatment. They act on different neurotransmitters in the brain to decrease depression symptoms.
While some types of depression are mild and self-limiting, major depressive disorder can be a serious medical problem that can have severe consequences. Therapy and medication can help you overcome the symptoms of depression and lead a fulfilling life. Depression can affect many aspects of your life, from work to social relationships. Eventually, it can lead to serious problems. However, it is important to seek treatment immediately. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can begin regaining your life and your happiness.
Changing your lifestyle is an important part of treating depression. Oftentimes, a person suffering from depression may notice an improvement in their symptoms when they reduce or eliminate certain foods from their diets. While there are no scientific studies to support this claim, it’s worth trying. Try eliminating certain foods one at a time and note whether symptoms improve or worsen. If they improve, you may want to keep a diary of your symptoms to determine which foods are the culprits.
Psychotherapy is a common treatment for depression. Often called talk therapy, this type of therapy focuses on changing a person’s negative habits and behaviors. Psychotherapy can be done one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, or in a group setting. Among the more common types of psychotherapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy. While these two methods aren’t as effective as CBT, they can be extremely beneficial.
ECT is a powerful treatment for major depression. It involves short electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. It’s usually performed two to three times a week for six to twelve sessions. While ECT has been around since the 1940s, it’s made great strides in recent years and is now considered mainstream treatment. If you’ve tried medication and nothing seems to work, try ECT. It can help ease symptoms and improve your quality of life.
