How to Deal With Depression
Depression can have an impact on your daily life and be difficult to manage. The most important thing is to get help as soon as you notice symptoms.
You can seek help from a medical professional, such as your doctor or mental health expert, to help you deal with the problem. They will ask you questions about your symptoms, perform a physical examination and order blood work to rule out other conditions that might cause the same symptoms.
They will also use questionnaires to measure your symptoms, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or the Beck Depression Inventory. They will then discuss the results with you and offer treatment options.
Your mental health specialist may recommend antidepressants. These medications are available to treat depression and may also be used in combination with other treatment methods such as psychotherapy or acupuncture.
There are also a number of natural products that you can take to help reduce your depression, such as vitamin D and St. John’s wort. However, the FDA has not approved these for use and it is always best to talk with your health care provider about any potential risks before using them.
If you have been prescribed medication for any condition, including depression, make sure you talk to your health care professional about any changes you have noticed in your symptoms or the way you feel. They will look at your health history and symptoms to determine what steps should be taken next, such as switching to a different medication or adjusting the dosage.
You should also tell your health care professional if you have any other symptoms, such as sleep problems or headaches. These are common with depression and could be caused by your medication or by other medical issues.
Your mental health expert might also consider a referral to an inpatient hospital if you are having suicidal thoughts or if you are not getting better. This is because the illness can be a very dangerous one and can be fatal.
Symptoms of depression vary by age and gender, but can include sadness, loss of interest in activities, irritability or excessive tiredness, trouble sleeping, appetite changes and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. These symptoms often come and go, but sometimes they are more severe or persistent.
In some people, depression can be caused by changes in brain chemistry or hormone levels. These change during pregnancy, the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum), during the menopause period or because of thyroid problems or other health issues.
There is no cure for depression, but most people recover from it with effective treatment and lifestyle changes. Even after treatment, you might have relapses, so it is important to keep taking your medications as directed by your health care provider.
Your mental health specialist might recommend a program of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other forms of psychotherapy, such as group therapies. These therapies are aimed at teaching you to better understand and control your emotions.
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