Diagnosis & Treatment of Depression

Depression is a common and serious mental health issue but the treatment of depression is possible in most of the cases. It can cause persistent feelings of sadness or disinterest along with other symptoms. These symptoms can be mild to severe and include:

• Persistent feeling of sadness
• Continuous depressed mood
• feeling hopeless 
• Loss of interest activities that were once enjoyable 
• having low self-esteem
• Changes in appetite, having no feeling to eat or eating frequently 
• feeling irritable and intolerant of others
• Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Feeling tired
• feeling anxious or worried
• Feeling guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty in concentrating 
• Not being able making decisions
• Having thoughts of suicide

There can be various other symptoms and these must last for at least two weeks. For the diagnosis, these symptoms and a change in your previous level of functioning is seen. Sometimes, some medical conditions like thyroid problems, a tumour in the brain or some vitamin deficiency and certain side effects of medications for other diseases can show similar symptoms as depression,  so it is important to consult a doctor who can rule out the other causes. 

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Your doctor can perform certain physical tests to establish a diagnosis of depression according to the medical guidelines:

• Physical examination: The doctor can ask you some questions about your general health, mood throughout the day and may do a physical examination to rule out certain cases in which depression is a side effect or caused by some underlying health issues.

• Lab tests. A blood test, called CBC or complete blood count can be done to test the thyroid gland functioning.

• Psychiatric evaluation. The mental health expert can ask about your every day routine, symptoms and feelings. You may also be asked to fill out a questionnaire form to help in the establishment of a diagnosis.

Medication

Your doctor can prescribe you some antidepressants. Generally these medications are not sedatives, and do not make you sleepy or dizzy. 

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a very common type of treatment for depression, it is also known as talk therapy. It’s so powerful that sometimes it is used alone for treatment of mild depression. Cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy. Your mental health professional may also recommend other types of therapies. Psychotherapy can help you in identifying root issues of your depression and help to change behaviours. 

Self-help and Coping

Along with medication or psychotherapy, self help techniques can prove to work wonders. Things like regular exercise, getting enough sleep, having a healthy diet, and reading self-help books can create positivity, improve mood and helps reduce symptoms of depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

If medications don’t work or if the person can't take antidepressants for certain reasons or the person has reached extreme suicidal state ECT can be used. In ECT, electrical currents are passed through the brain which affect neurotransmitters ( certain chemicals in the brain) to make the person's condition better. 

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Depression is real and needs to be addressed. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of depression, do see a psychiatrist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to Gytree mental health experts in a safe and non judgmental space about your symptoms now, to get the right guidance.