The Basics of Depression Treatment
 |
It's estimated that over 11 million people suffer from depression. While this problem is more prevalent in women than in men, anyone regardless of gender or age can become depressed. Depression is more than just a bad mood or a bad day. Symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, a feeling of hopelessness, a lack of interest in favorite things, and diminished energy. Symptoms can be different for each sufferer and may be mild, moderate or severe. The good news is that there are various depression treatment options available these days. But how do you know which one is best?
If you suspect that you are suffering from depression, it's important to see your doctor. He or she will evaluate your symptoms and make a diagnosis. You will be asked about your symptoms and any possible causes that could be to blame. For example, things like illness, dramatic life changes, substance abuse, the loss of a job or the death of a loved one can be contributing factors but are certainly not the only factors. Some people don't have any of these risk factors but are still depressed. This is because depression is thought to be related to an imbalance of certain brain chemicals.
Once a diagnosis of depression is reached, you will be told about recommended treatment options. Your doctor may want to refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for therapy and treatment. Or, he or she may decide to prescribe you an antidepressant. It may be necessary to try a variety of different antidepressants before finding the best one for you. The most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant is the SSRI variety, or selective serotonin reputake inhibitor. Examples of SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.
In addition to the use of an antidepressant, depression treatment may include other strategies like psychotherapy and lifestyle modification. For example, you may take an antidepressant every day and visit a psychologist once each week to discuss how you are feeling. Some people find that anxiety goes hand in hand with depression. If anxiety is a problem for you, you may be prescribed an antianxiety medication or taught how to perform relaxation techniques. Even simple changes like increasing your level of exercise or changing your diet may lead to favorable changes in your mood. It's important not to try and diagnose or treat yourself, as depression is a serious illness that should be addressed by a medical professional.
Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved
| Is Club Drug 'Special K' a Quick Fix for Depression? About 30 million Americans suffer from depression, and when a sudden wave of severe symptoms hits them, there's no instant fix. The most commonly prescribed drugs EUR” Prozac, Celexa and Zoloft EUR” take a few weeks to kick in, and in the meantime, depressed people are at an escalated risk of suicide. More than half the time, the prescribed drug doesn't end up working at all, and patients must start ... | ||
Could a Blood Test Help Spot Depression? FRIDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Depression can be a tough condition to diagnose accurately, but new research suggests that someday a blood test might help... | ||
Working long hours 'linked to depression' - Nursing Times
| ||
Blood Test May Help Diagnose Depression - WebMD
| ||
Ketamine: A New Treatment for Depression? - WebMD (blog)
| ||
Winning a long battle with depression - Vancouver Sun
| ||
'I Wanted To Live:' New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases The anesthetic and club drug ketamine seems to lift depression symptoms in a matter of hours. But how does it work? Researchers are searching for the answer in an attempt to make a new class of depression medications. "We can take care of a migraine in hours," one researcher asks. "So why do we have to wait weeks or months with depression?".. | ||
Terrie M. Williams: Depression does not discriminate - Local 10
| ||
GPS hosts 'Beyond the Blues EUR Adolescent Suicide and Depression' - Suburban Life Publications
| ||
'I Wanted To Live': New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases - NPR (blog)
| ||
Technorati Tags: Depression, The Basics of Depression Treatment, Depression Treatment
