Living with Bipolar Disorder
Treatment For Depression
While depression can be debilitating, it can be effectively treated. Treatment is effective for 80% to 90% of people with the disorder, and almost all patients experience a significant reduction in their symptoms after undergoing treatment. To determine if you are suffering from depression, your health care provider will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical exam and an interview. Blood tests may be necessary to rule out underlying medical conditions that cause depression, since reversing these causes would relieve the depression-like symptoms. During the evaluation, your health care provider will explore specific symptoms and the background of your medical history, as well as the social, cultural, and environmental influences that may be causing your symptoms.
Mood disorders and physical illnesses are common symptoms of depression. People suffering from depression may feel tired or guilty all the time, experience difficulties concentrating, have trouble remembering details, or make decisions. Depression may also affect your sleep, making it difficult to complete daily tasks. It can even interfere with your performance and cause you to lose weight. A mental health care provider will help you determine the underlying cause of your depression and prescribe the best treatment for you.
The main goals of treatment for depression are to improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy may involve individual sessions, family therapy, or group therapy. Psychotherapy can also help those with similar illnesses connect with others who are dealing with similar issues. Treatment for depression can take months or even years, but in most cases, significant improvements are made after a few sessions. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Symptoms of depression vary depending on the type and severity of the disorder. Treatment for depression is available for both mild and severe depression. Many people suffer from depression because of changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid problems, and menopause. In some cases, depression can also run in families, and researchers are still searching for the genes that cause the symptoms of depression. Women are more likely to seek treatment for depression than men, and it is often a female-dominated disease.
Although there are some similarities between symptoms and types of depression, some differences are critical for determining whether someone has this condition. Although not everyone with depression experiences all of these symptoms, the symptoms of major depression are similar in both severity and duration. People who suffer from depression experience a persistent sad mood, a feeling of hopelessness, pessimism, and a lack of interest in activities that normally motivate them. They can even become physically ill, and this can affect their work and social life.
While depression can be difficult to treat, it can be effectively treated. The earlier you begin treatment, the better. Oftentimes, a combination of medications and psychotherapy are required to achieve a permanent relief. Sometimes, electroconvulsive therapy and other brain stimulation therapies are prescribed to reduce the symptoms. It is important to understand that no two people are the same when it comes to depression, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right treatment for you.
