n some extreme cases, houghts of death or suicide
It’s also important to consider other medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumor or vitamin deficiency) can mimic depression symptoms. Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. It’s also been observed that women are more likely than men to experience depression.
For some people, grief can lead to depression. For instance, the death of a loved one can bring on major depression. Losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can absolutely bring on a depressive episode. Unfortunately, when grief and depression coexist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Despite overlap between grief and depression symptoms, they remain different diagnoses. Distinguishing between the two can help people find the help, support or treatment they need.
You must be experiencing symptoms for at least two weeks for a clinical diagnosis of depression. But before a diagnosis or treatment is given, a physician should conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and possibly a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test might be done to rule out any medical conditions. The evaluation will help identify specific symptoms, medical and family history, cultural factors and environmental factors to arrive at a diagnosis and plan a course of action, which will usually involve some type of therapy for depression.
Symptoms caused by major depression can vary, so some clinicians may evaluate for more specifiers to help come up with a more targeted treatment plan. A specifier means that you have depression with specific features, such as anxious distress — depression with unusual restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control, mixed features — simultaneous depression and mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy, or even something like seasonal pattern — depression related to changes in seasons and reduced exposure to sunlight.
Once a patient has been properly diagnosed for depression by a physician, it’s time to explore clinical depression treatments. As mentioned above, the more specific a diagnosis, the easier it is to choose the right treatment for the individual case. Typically, clinical depression treatments include a combination of medication and therapy.
Though it should be noted that some types of depression may respond well to other forms of treatment. For example, light therapy can be effective for those with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and, in severe cases, a doctor may recommend a form of brain stimulation therapy, such as electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. Often a doctor can recommend non-invasive healthy lifestyle adjustments to support depression treatment like diet, exercise and adopting mindfulness techniques.
It’s very common for a physician or psychiatrist to prescribe an antidepressant medication to a patient suffering from depression. Luckily, there are many different options available because people vary in their response to different drugs, and there is often a period of trial and error before the right medication or combination of medications is found. Types of antidepressants include:
Though not as commonly prescribed, other medications that can be helpful in clinical depression treatments include anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.
Though, with any medication, Individuals should discuss the benefits and potential risks of antidepressant use with their doctor.
However, medication alone is rarely the answer. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be an effective clinical depression treatment for depression with or without medicative support. Psychotherapy can help people adjust to their life circumstances, challenge negative thoughts, and learn healthier ways to 