Symptoms, Treatments, and Medication for Depression
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Symptoms, Treatments, and Medication for Depression
Despite the high rates of heart disease, not all cases of depression are heart-related. While a wide range of factors, including smoking, physical inactivity, and poor sleep quality, increase the risk of heart attack in depressed individuals, a study of Veterans in the St. Louis VA Medical Center has found a link between depression and cardiovascular events. Currently, researchers are trying to find out how depression affects the body’s response to stress.
Symptoms of depression can include a decreased appetite, irritability, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. A person may experience changes in sleeping patterns, gain or lose weight, and feel excessively sad or hopeless. Other symptoms include insomnia, a general lack of energy, a reduced appetite, and back pain. Some people may also engage in drug or alcohol abuse, exacerbated by depression. This is a serious illness that should be treated with the help of a qualified health professional.
Depression symptoms are similar in children, teens, and the elderly. Younger children may exhibit signs of sadness, irritability, and neediness. Older children may also show signs of anxiety or worry. In any case, it’s important to seek help for depression immediately. If you’re not sure whether your child is suffering from depression, ask them to fill out a depression test. Once your physician deems that a person has depression, he can refer them to a mental health professional.
Treatments for depression are tailored to the patient’s needs. Antidepressant medication is an option for people suffering from major depression. Although these medications may not work for everyone, they may help manage symptoms while counseling is done. If the symptoms of depression are exacerbated by family or social isolation, family therapy and volunteering may be necessary. If the symptoms of depression have worsened or are persistent, treatment may involve brain stimulation, psychotherapy, or medications.
The main goal of therapy is to help the patient cope with the feelings triggered by negative thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help people identify the causes of their negative thinking and learn to control their emotions. Many antidepressant drugs are combined with cognitive behavioral therapy to improve mood. Newer drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are also available for people suffering from depression. Exercise and physical activity release feel-good chemicals, and exercise can help stabilize moods.
Research has shown that depression affects both men and women. It also tends to collide with other chronic conditions and illnesses. Major depression affects one in every third of heart attack and cancer patients, according to Psychology Today. Many women and men who suffer from major depression are at increased risk of developing the disorder, due to fluctuating hormones and genetic predisposition. Many men with depression fail to report their symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
The most common type of antidepressant is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs help regulate the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for feelings of happiness and satisfaction. There are several types of antidepressants available, including tetracyclics and tricyclics. Antidepressants may also cause side effects. For this reason, it is vital that you talk to a mental health professional before taking any medications.
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