Depending on the severity of your depression, your GP or counsellor will recommend: Use of a medicine (eg an antidepressant) Use of a specific psychological therapy (eg CBT or IPT) A mix of both psychological therapy and medicine.
In milder cases of depression, treatment might begin with psychotherapy alone, and medication added if the individual continues to experience symptoms. For moderate or severe depression, many mental health professionals recommend a combination of medication and therapy at the start of treatment.
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
The kind of psychological treatment that is most commonly used for depression is known as cognitive behavioral therapy (often called “CBT” for short).
To diagnose depression, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends a blood test to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.
Get a medical checkup. Ask to see a doctor or nurse who can screen you for depression. The doctor or nurse may also check to see if you have another health condition (like thyroid disease) that can cause depression or make it worse. If you have one of these health conditions, it's important to get treatment right away.
In your appointment your doctor will probably make an initial assessment by asking questions about: your mood, thoughts and behaviours – sometimes by using questionnaires or forms which measure depression and anxiety. your lifestyle and any recent events in your life that might be affecting your wellbeing.
Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from the disorder. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite.
There is no cure for depression, but many different treatments are available to manage the symptoms. The symptoms of depression vary among individuals. A treatment plan that includes medical interventions, support, and lifestyle changes can enable a person to live a normal and full life with the condition.
Depression is difficult to overcome because it's a complex mental illness. It can cause negative thinking patterns, low self-esteem, and distorted perceptions of reality. These factors can make it difficult to get out of a depressive state. Additionally, this mental disorder can be very isolating.
Primary care providers most commonly treat depression, anxiety and emotional distress related to grief. People with conditions that are more difficult to treat, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, will typically need to see a psychiatrist.
It's often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn't capture how complex the disease is. Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals.
The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications. You may benefit most from a combination of the two. It may take some trial and error to discover which treatments work best for you.
For some people, a negative, stressful, or unhappy family life can lead to depression. Other high-stress living situations — like poverty, homelessness, or violence — can lead to it, too. Dealing with bullying, harassment, or peer pressure also leaves some people feeling alone or anxious.
Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.
Dysthymia is a milder, but long-lasting form of depression. It's also called persistent depressive disorder. People with this condition may also have bouts of major depression at times. Depression is a mood disorder that involves your body, mood, and thoughts.
The Three Cs of Disclosing Serious Mental Illness at Work: Control, Conditions, Costs.
If you feel you are struggling with your mental wellbeing, the first step to support is usually to visit your GP.
You might say something such as: "I've been feeling hopeless for the last few weeks." "I'm not able to enjoy the things I used to do." "I feel fatigued and sad almost all of the time."
If you experience any of these symptoms, you can check in with your GP. Most Australian GPs are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. They can make a diagnosis of your condition and also check for any physical health problems or medications that may be making your symptoms worse.
Write down what you want to say in advance, and take your notes in with you. Give yourself enough time to get to your appointment, so that you don't feel rushed or stressed. If you're feeling nervous, let your doctor know. Think about taking someone with you to support you, like a close friend or family member.