Depression Best Treatment: Are You Depressed? Best Treatment Options for Depression

If you have been feeling sad, low or miserable for more than a few weeks, chances are that you are suffering from depression. Here are some guidelines to find out if you are depressed.

Indicators of Depression

The most important indicators of depression include the following:

Ongoing feelings of sadness,
Feelings of failure and worthlessness
Feeling guilty about things you have no reason to feel guilty about
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
Feeling restless or excessively busy
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Withdrawal from family and friends
Avoidance of social interactions
Frequent frustration
Annoyance, irritability and anger
Loss of confidence and low self-esteem
Poor concentration and indecisiveness
Fatigue and having no energy
Poor concentration, difficulty thinking and remembering
Sleeping problems
Feeling sick and rundown
Changes in appetite, including weight loss or weight gain
Overuse or reliance on alcohol, prescribed or illicit drugs
Recurrent thoughts of self-harm or death.

If you are experiencing more than four of these symptoms, it is worth getting some form of support. Depression is a serious condition that requires attention. It can also have significant negative effects on your physical and mental health.

The good news is that depression is treatable. Once a diagnosis of depression is confirmed and you know what kind of depression you are suffering from, you can consider different kinds of treatment.

Psychological Treatments

Psychological treatments for depression include a variety of therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The goal of psychological intervention is to help you correct your negative thought patterns and assist you in finding new ways to improve your relationships.

Therapy can help you to change your unhelpful beliefs, thoughts and feelings and encourage you to get involved in activities that promote your wellbeing.

Medications

Antidepressant medication can play an important role in your recovery. If your depression is severe, your physician may prescribe medication to complement psychological treatment. The goal of using antidepressants is to treat an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Medication helps to rebalance these chemicals.

Lifestyle Changes

One of the most important things you can do to help yourself recover from depression is to make radical lifestyle changes. These include a healthy diet, getting adequate exercise, building a support system, engaging in activities that contribute to happiness, and stabilising your sleeping pattern.

It is important to be proactive in managing your depression. If you do not take the necessary steps to help yourself, nobody else will. It is also important to know that the earlier you get help, the faster you can recover.

It may help to keep a journal to record your progress. Writing down feelings or questions before seeing your doctor or mental health professional may help you to be more direct in your approach to explore different treatment options.

Lastly, no matter how bad you are feeling, keep your hope alive that you can get better. Stick with treatment plans and let your doctor know when you are not coping. You do not have to suffer alone.

 

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