Treatment for Depression

Depression is a type of mental illness that makes a person feel sad and unable to enjoy previously enjoyable things. Depression generally occurs in response to stress in susceptible individuals. Depression can affect anyone irrespective of their age, gender, economic status, religious views  etc.

Depression Symptoms can manifest themselves physically, mentally, emotionally – a large variety of ways. Symptoms and their severity  depend on your family history, whether you’ve been diagnosed in the past, if you’ve taken anti-depressants before, etc. Depression symptoms for mild but chronic depression will be very different than for severe depression. If you’re just looking for the list of depression symptoms, you’ll find them below. You should have experienced these symptoms for at least two (2) consecutive weeks.

Feelings of loneliness/ emptiness

• • Feeling of sadness
  • Over-eating or binge eating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
  • Low levels of energy, feeling lethargic
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of interest in participating in festivities
  • Feelings of hopelessness, frustration and/or anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Suicidal thoughts

If you think you are depressed and some of these symptoms you are noticing then please talk to your doctor or call Dharmendra Kumar MD, Houston Psychiatrist at 8329301202.

Clinical research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression. Researchers have learned much about the biology of depression. They’ve identified genes that make individuals more vulnerable to low moods and influence how an individual responds to drug therapy. Every part of the body, including the brain, is controlled by genes. Genes make proteins that are involved in biological processes.

Popular lore has it that emotions reside in the heart. Science, though, tracks the seat of your emotions to the brain. Certain areas of the brain help regulate mood. Researchers believe that — more important than levels of specific brain chemicals — nerve cell connections, nerve cell growth, and the functioning of nerve circuits have a major impact on depression. Still, their understanding of the neurological underpinnings of mood is incomplete.

Fortunately, depression can be managed in most cases. Treatment of depression can often prevent symptoms from getting worse and make necessary and desirable improvements in mood behavior. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek immediate emergency attention.

Usually depression can be managed by one or more of these modalities.

1. Medication management – different medication has been approved by FDA and are well tolerated by most of the individuals in treatment of depression.

2. Increase social support or professional counseling – This can be use alone for mild symptoms and can be use in conjugation for moderate to severe symptoms of depression

3. Lifestyle modification–  “Healthy body for a healthy mind”.It is very important to develop good habits for better control of symptoms of depression. It includes certain do’s and don’ts, e.g.- proper sleeping hygiene, work life balance, daily exercise, proper diet etc..

Other Q’s and A’s Depression

What is the treatment of depression or it is called clinically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

Treatment of depression can vary from person to person depending on severity, duration, and several other factors. A Mild and short term situational depression can get better by talking to a counselor, in very few cases they may need antidepressant medication. People with long term and severe symptoms of depression may need a combination of medication and counseling.

How long does it take for depression to get better?

This also depends on several factors and not one size fits all, but usually, people notice the improvement within a few weeks of starting the treatment .

Why some people feel Suicidal or do not  want to live anymore

One of the most common reasons for feeling suicidal is untreated or poorly treated major depression. If someone feels suicidal or does not want to live anymore he should be calling their doctor or emergency services immediately to seek help.

One who feels suicidal should immediately do one of these things

• Can call or see their doctor or therapist
• Call 9-1-1
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call Suicide Prevention Lifeline

                1-800-273-8255