Yes, Depression Can be Treated! What Are My Treatment Options?

Depression is a very common condition characterized by extreme symptoms of sadness and loss of interest in normal activities. Affected persons tend to have symptoms on a daily basis as opposed to episodically and the symptoms are usually unrelated to any particular event. It’s thought that about 5% of the population experiences depression every year. If you suffer from depression, you are definitely not alone!

If you experience the symptoms of depression, it’s important that you seek immediate medical attention. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better and start to enjoy your daily activities again. Generally, it takes several weeks of treatment before you’ll begin to experience a more positive outlook. If you are experiencing any thoughts of suicide or thoughts of hurting others, it’s crucial that you seek medical attention right away!

Just what are your treatment options if you’re experiencing depression? The first step is to contact your family doctor. He or she most likely has been trained in how to treat simple depression and may be able you effectively in his office. If your symptoms are more severe or if he lacks the knowledge to treat your depression effectively, he may refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker for further consultation.

Once you have found the appropriate health care specialist to treat your depression, what treatment options will be available to you? Generally, depression is treated with the following interventions either alone or in combination:

1. Medications specifically developed for treatment of depression
2. Counseling or sessions
3. Modifications in lifestye to eliminate any contributing stressors

Most commonly a combination of the above treatments are used to treat depression. You will most likely be started on an antidepressant medication after you are initially diagnosed with depression. These medications usually start to have their effects after about 2-3 weeks of treatment. At around 6 weeks of treatment, you should start to feel more positive with increased energy levels. If not, adjustments or changes in your medication may be needed. Adjustments in your medication may also be necessary if you experience certain side effects.

How long will you need to stay on your medication? Generally depression treatment is carried out for 3-9 consecutive months. At that point assuming your depressive symptoms have subsided, you’ll be given a trial off of your medication. If your symptoms don’t recur fanastic! If they do, it may be necessary to maintain therapy on a longer term basis.

While you’re on your medication, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a series of short term counseling sessions. The current thought is that short, focused therapy sessions where patients “talk out” their problems can be an effective treatment for depression particularly in mild cases. In fact, some studies have shown that counseling and talk therapy can be as beneficial as medications for depression. Most commonly, a combination of the two treatment modalities is suggested. Short term therapy sessions for depression may help you to feel less alone as well as teach you new ways to cope with stressful situations. A depression support group is also an additional treatment option that helps some people.

As you can see, there are a variety of treatment options for depression which are quite effective. There’s no need to suffer from depression on your own! Take advantage of the new treatment options and start feeling better.