Depression saps both energy and hope from you, so seek treatment as soon as symptoms appear.
Therapy — such as cognitive behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy — can help people recover from depression. Medication that affects brain chemicals may also be prescribed; support groups provide socialization opportunities with others suffering from depression.
Depression Symptoms
People suffering from depression often feel sad and hopeless over an extended period, with difficulty focusing and thinking clearly, losing interest in activities that once provided pleasure such as hobbies or socializing; headaches or digestive problems may also arise for no apparent reason.
Depression can create feelings of guilt or worthlessness, with those affected more likely to take uncalculated risks than normal, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). They may become preoccupied with thoughts of mortality and negative outlook on life in general – something which many adults living with depression know all too well.
If someone you know displays multiple of these symptoms, it would be prudent to consult a health care provider. Depression can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (also referred to as talking therapies) in combination. Psychological treatments (commonly referred to as “talking therapies”) may help individuals manage unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Depression Diagnosis
Health care professionals can diagnose depression through questions, physical examination, and reviewing your medical history. They may also ask about family members and symptoms you are experiencing before using a standard list known as Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) to make an accurate determination as to whether you have depression.
Depression may accompany another illness such as heart disease or cancer, or be the result of medications. If these symptoms apply to you, it’s essential that you visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy), when combined with medications to change how your brain works and overcome depression, is often successful in alleviating its symptoms. Your GP may refer you to psychologists, social workers and counsellors – see Medicare rebate for seeing these professionals! There are different kinds of psychotherapy; typically combination is best; there may also be antidepressant medication available that could work as well; this process might take time; antidepressants come in various types and it might take some time before finding one that suits you perfectly.
Treatment for Depression
Depression can usually be treated successfully through psychotherapy and medication, though treatment can take months or years to be fully effective. Seeking help as soon as symptoms emerge is especially crucial if they become severe or you consider self-harm (self-injury).
Psychotherapy may be done alone or with family or friends and includes different forms of talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and behavioural activation therapy. Interpersonal therapy aims to address unresolved grief issues such as unfulfilled work roles or role changes and issues related to others while Behavioural activation therapy identifies links between behavior and mood – this method typically employed for moderate-severe depression cases.
Antidepressant medication may also provide some assistance, including pills or injections taken to affect how brain chemicals function, like antidepressants. Antidepressants are available as pills or injections and can help you improve your mood and make life easier overall. Clinical trials (studies) for new depression treatments are continually ongoing – ask your physician, local psychiatric society, medical school, community health center or workplace Employee Assistance Program about available clinical trials near you.
Prevention
Depression can be profoundly disabling and place an enormous burden on individuals, families, communities and societies alike. Depression prevention offers hope in its ability to lessen this impactful burden – psychological prevention focused on altering negative thoughts and strengthening relationships has shown promise while cognitive therapy such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may also prove effective.
Lifestyle changes such as getting adequate rest and nutrition have been shown to reduce depression. Physical activity can improve both mood and physical fitness. Other psychotherapies such as interpersonal therapy and dialectical behavior therapy may also provide assistance by teaching patients how to identify triggers and respond accordingly.
Depression can have serious repercussions, and anyone at risk of suicide should seek medical assistance immediately. Early treatment may stop symptoms worsening and help stop future episodes even after relapsing; support networks, therapy sessions and medication all play a vital role in keeping depression away.