F.A.Q.
When should I seek help for depression?
Many people hesitate to get help for depression, believing they’re just a little sad or blue and before long, they’ll feel better. But depression isn’t the blues.
Depression is a serious condition that doesn’t get better on its own. Instead, it gets worse and negatively affects your feelings, behaviors, and thoughts.
If you feel depressed nearly every day, your low mood lasts longer than two weeks, or you have thoughts of suicide, it’s time to seek medical care at Addiction and Psychiatric Care.
What symptoms occur if I’m depressed?
Depression, also called major depressive disorder, makes you:
- Feel sad, worthless, and hopeless
- Lose interest in the things you normally enjoy
- Withdraw from your partner, family, and friends
- Feel drained of energy and utterly fatigued
- Eat more or less than usual
- Gain or lose weight
- Sleep more or less than normal
- Unable to concentrate or make decisions
- Irritable, angry, and anxious
- Focus on negative thoughts
- Think about suicide
You may also have physical symptoms such as muscle aches, nausea, and headaches. Depression often leads to time away from school or your job, or it causes a decline in academic or work performance.
How is depression treated?
Your Addiction and Psychiatric Care provider takes time to talk with you and understand your unique symptoms. They also perform a psychological evaluation to determine if your depression is due to another problem.
Then they create a mental health treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, depending on your personal needs.
Antidepressants balance brain chemicals and help to lift your depression. Several types of psychotherapy effectively help people overcome depression. Each one takes a different approach, so your provider recommends the type of therapy that’s best for you.
Your provider also explores aspects of your lifestyle that contribute to depression and recommends changes to improve your mood.
For example, nutrition has a big impact because your brain needs certain nutrients to produce the neurotransmitters that maintain a positive mood. Exercise also helps because it triggers the release of brain chemicals that lift your mood.
You can overcome depression with treatment at Addiction and Psychiatric Care. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking feature today.