Depression is arguably the commonest mental illness worldwide. Like many other mental health disorders, there is significant social and economic dysfunction. While most cases are usually mild, a number of them tend to progress to very severe forms that may lead to death (mainly through suicide). It is important that treatment is instituted promptly so as to prevent this progression. We will review some of the modalities of depression therapy Bethesda residents have access to.
If you suspect that you are suffering from the disorder, there are a number of things that you should do so as to optimize on the treatment. The first is to make an effort to learn as much as possible about the condition. This will not only help in identifying the cause of the problem but will also help in determining its severity. If the cause is an underlying medical condition, treating the condition will help eliminate the symptoms.
For the mild cases, the starting point is lifestyle changes. Some studies have concluded that physical exercise is as effective as medication in the management of the problem. Regular physical exercise has been shown to boost the secretion of important body chemicals that include serotonin and endorphins. There is enhanced growth of new brain cells and connections (just as happens when medications are used).
Other modifications that can be undertaken include having enough sleep, reducing stress and proper nutrition. The meals should be well balanced with complex carbohydrates to keep the energy levels high. This helps to avoid mood swings that would worsen the condition. Sleep deprivation flares symptoms and may cause recurrence even after cure has been achieved. Aim to have a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night.
In the event that the symptoms fail to abate with lifestyle changes, the next step is to see your doctor. One of the things that your doctor will attempt to do is to rule out any medical conditions which may mimic depression. Hypothyroidism is a common differential diagnosis among persons considered as having depression. Another frequently encountered cause is drug interactions especially in older patients taking multiple medications concurrently.
Once a diagnosis of depression has been confirmed, the main treatments that can be administered are therapy and antidepressant medication. These treatments may be administered singly or in combination with other modalities. Various forms of therapy exist. They all are based on helping the patient establish the root cause of their problem and to gain some insight on the magnitude of their problem and how to handle it.
There are various types of drugs that have been shown to have a positive effect. They include tricyclic antidepressants such as amoxapine, doxepine and amitriptyline (for moderate to severe symptoms). Side effects include visual blurring, dry mouth, urinary retention and constipation among others. Other groups of drugs used for severe symptoms include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide. Lithium salts, and selective serotonin receptor inhibitors are also effective.
While depression is not necessarily a lifelong ailment, it is often a long term condition that requires a lot of patience and cooperation between the patient and their doctor. In most cases, it takes a long period of time to find the most appropriate form of treatment for a specific case. For many of those affected, there is a need to combine several therapies at the same time so as to get an optimal response.
If you suspect that you are suffering from the disorder, there are a number of things that you should do so as to optimize on the treatment. The first is to make an effort to learn as much as possible about the condition. This will not only help in identifying the cause of the problem but will also help in determining its severity. If the cause is an underlying medical condition, treating the condition will help eliminate the symptoms.
For the mild cases, the starting point is lifestyle changes. Some studies have concluded that physical exercise is as effective as medication in the management of the problem. Regular physical exercise has been shown to boost the secretion of important body chemicals that include serotonin and endorphins. There is enhanced growth of new brain cells and connections (just as happens when medications are used).
Other modifications that can be undertaken include having enough sleep, reducing stress and proper nutrition. The meals should be well balanced with complex carbohydrates to keep the energy levels high. This helps to avoid mood swings that would worsen the condition. Sleep deprivation flares symptoms and may cause recurrence even after cure has been achieved. Aim to have a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night.
In the event that the symptoms fail to abate with lifestyle changes, the next step is to see your doctor. One of the things that your doctor will attempt to do is to rule out any medical conditions which may mimic depression. Hypothyroidism is a common differential diagnosis among persons considered as having depression. Another frequently encountered cause is drug interactions especially in older patients taking multiple medications concurrently.
Once a diagnosis of depression has been confirmed, the main treatments that can be administered are therapy and antidepressant medication. These treatments may be administered singly or in combination with other modalities. Various forms of therapy exist. They all are based on helping the patient establish the root cause of their problem and to gain some insight on the magnitude of their problem and how to handle it.
There are various types of drugs that have been shown to have a positive effect. They include tricyclic antidepressants such as amoxapine, doxepine and amitriptyline (for moderate to severe symptoms). Side effects include visual blurring, dry mouth, urinary retention and constipation among others. Other groups of drugs used for severe symptoms include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide. Lithium salts, and selective serotonin receptor inhibitors are also effective.
While depression is not necessarily a lifelong ailment, it is often a long term condition that requires a lot of patience and cooperation between the patient and their doctor. In most cases, it takes a long period of time to find the most appropriate form of treatment for a specific case. For many of those affected, there is a need to combine several therapies at the same time so as to get an optimal response.
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