Depression

Depression

Depression is a serious medical condition that can be tricky to diagnose because it manifests itself in different ways. 

Individuals suffering from depression may not always recognize their signs and symptoms, so they may discount those symptoms as not being serious enough to address. If left unchecked, depressioncan have a severely debilitating effect on an individual’s life; affecting their ability to conduct everyday chores and maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and colleagues at work.

It’s common that many Americans experience some symptoms that maybe classified as depression. Clinical depression can have many symptoms including widespread body pain and sexual dysfunction, among others. 

Due to advances in diagnostic procedures and evaluation methods, it is now possible to diagnose depression in an individual at an earlier stage. Several tests require an individual to self-report their symptoms. Others rely on lab screenings to rule out other conditions.The efficacy of conventional treatment methods has also improved significantly, offering greater treatment options for various forms of depression.

Increasing your awareness of depression is the first step towards helping yourself or other individuals recover. It is also helpful to identify triggers that may cause depression in you, and then work around them to help manage your life. 

Different forms of depression may have different triggers, and different overall durations. Some types are episodic and experienced infrequently, or in relation to a qualifying life event. Others are more persistent, lasting for over two years at a time. Based on the type of depressionone has, the method of treatment also varies, all of which may include a combination of therapy and medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants. An SSRI helps maintain serotonin levels, which in turn is canhelp reduce anxiety and keep a person calm and counter depression. 

To determine if you have depression and what treatment options may be available to you, share your concerns with your doctor.