Depression
You can’t understand why you are feeling the way you do. You are tired, stressed out, anxious and you can’t sleep. Depression is an illness that strikes one in fifteen Americans. Depression treatment is important because depression rarely goes away by itself. Depression is a serious medical illness that affects thoughts, feeling as well as the basic ability to function.
Symptoms of Depression
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from depression: chronic sadness, hopelessness, decreased energy, thoughts of suicide, restlessness, either weight gain or weight loss and irritability. Please know that depression treatment will take time but things will improve. You just need to preserver until that day comes.
Types of Depression
A licensed behavioral therapist will listen to your description of your depression and set forth a course of depression treatment based on his or her evaluation.
There are three main types of depression. Major depression is characterized by symptoms that interfere with your ability to function. It can encompass an inability to sleep, eat or study. While it can be as a single episode, it is more likely to be a lifetime illness featuring several major episodes. The second type of depression is dsythma which is less severe; you can still function in most areas of your life. The final type of depression is bipolar disorder. Fewer people have bipolar disorder. It is characterized by extreme highs and lows in mood swings. For example, in the manic cycle, you would become overtalkative and overactive. Depression treatment is customized for your type of depression by your therapist.
Therapy
Ask your doctor for a referral to a qualified behavioral therapist. A course of depression treatment is not completed in a week or two. You must make a commitment to help yourself heal from this mental disease. Your therapist will discuss your feelings and your physical symptoms in a confidential setting. You may feel “better” after a couple of sessions. Do not stop going. As stated before, bipolar disorder has highs and lows. This could be one of the highs. This could also be a sign of major depression where there are chronic episodes marked with periods of normalcy in between episodes.
Medication
In addition to therapy, you will most likely need medications to help in your depression treatment. Do not feel embarrassed or resist that you will need medication to treat your depression. You do not resist taking an aspirin when you take pain. Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. Depression treatment include antidepressants because you most like have a low serotonin level. Again, it is not your fault. However, you must be a good partner in your depression treatment. Antidepressants should be continued even though you may feel that they are not working immediately. They usually take three or more weeks of daily consumption before you notice a lifting of your spirit and the ability to function returns. Report any adverse effects to your therapist immediately. If a rash develops or continued thoughts of suicide, you may have to change medications.
Tim Du
Physician Network Writer
