Depression is a serious mental illness that can make you feel bad about yourself and lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. However, it can be treated and many people find relief from their symptoms with professional assistance.
Depression is a complex disorder caused by genetic, biological, psychological, social and environmental elements. Typically it begins after someone undergoes a major life change such as divorce or loss of employment.
Symptoms
Depression presents itself in many different forms. You may experience intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness, along with irritability.
Other symptoms to look out for include a lack of energy and appetite, as well as physical signs like poor sleep, loss of sex drive and aches and pains.
People who experience significant depression for more than two weeks usually require a comprehensive psychiatric exam and medical history from a mental health professional to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment from a Calgary Psychologist for depression can take many forms. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), medications, and self-help measures are just a few options available to choose from.
Causes
Depression is a complex disorder that impacts everyone differently. It may be brought on by life events, medical issues and medications taken for treatment.
Brain chemistry can increase your likelihood of depression. For instance, women’s hormone levels change during certain times in their lives (like during menstruations or after giving birth), which may contribute to feelings of despair.
Genetics also plays a significant role in determining your risk for depression. If one parent or sibling has experienced depression, you are approximately three times more likely to develop the disorder yourself.
Other causes of depression may include stress, relationship issues, loss of a job or money, physical illness, drug or alcohol use and poor diet. All these things can contribute to feelings of hopelessness or helplessness which in turn leads to more severe cases of the disorder.
Treatment
Depression is a serious illness that impacts your thoughts, feelings and behavior. Treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent further episodes of depression from occurring.
Different treatments exist for depression, such as medication, therapy and lifestyle modifications. Speak to your doctor about which option is most suitable for you.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are two medications often prescribed. Both work effectively when taken together as therapy.
If medication doesn’t help, more intensive treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be required. This procedure typically takes place in a hospital and involves administering electrical current through your brain to disrupt neurotransmitters responsible for making you feel good.
Other treatments for depression include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which sends repetitive magnetic pulses to specific parts of your brain that control mood regulation and depression. This type of therapy can improve communication between these parts of your brain, relieving symptoms and allowing you to move on with life.
Prevention
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have an immense impact on your life. It impairs your functioning and causes difficulties with relationships and work.
Thankfully, there are ways to prevent depression and keep it from getting worse. These include lifestyle modifications, medication and therapy.
Prevention techniques that work best include healthy eating and exercise, stress management, as well as having a supportive network of friends and family. Another useful strategy is practicing mindfulness – paying attention to the present moment and altering one’s thoughts.
Up until recently, it was believed that depression could not be prevented. However, a growing number of clinical trials have demonstrated otherwise. These research findings indicate that prevention can be an effective means of decreasing the global burden of this illness.
