Depression
Depression, is a medical condition that causes extreme feelings of sadness and emptiness. People who suffer from depression may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed and experience a constant feeling of hopelessness on a daily basis. Depression, also known as clinical or major depression, may be triggered by certain events or occur along with other illnesses. Severe depression can interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, interact with others or enjoy life. With treatment, however, depression can become a manageable condition.
Causes of Depression
The exact cause of depression is unknown. Depression can sometimes be triggered by a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, emotional or financial stress, or childhood trauma. Other factors that may contribute to depression include:
- Hormonal changes
- Heredity
- Chemical imbalances or changes within the brain
The use of certain medications such as steroids, or alcohol or drug abuse may contribute to the onset of depression. Patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer or other long-term conditions may also develop depression.
Symptoms of Depression
While most people may feels sad or blue every once in a while, clinical depression affects the lives of those afflicted on a daily basis. Symptoms of major depression include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Crying spells
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Change in appetite
- Fatigue
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Suicidal thoughts
Depression is a serious condition that can severely affect individuals and their families. Left untreated, depression may lead to anxiety, isolation, difficulties at work or school, alcohol or substance abuse, and in extreme cases, suicide.
Diagnosing Depression
To diagnose depression, the doctor will conduct a full physical examination and a review of all symptoms. Blood and urine tests may also be performed to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to the depression. A full psychological evaluation is also performed to make a proper diagnosis and create a treatment plan.
Treatment of Depression
Depression is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Psychotherapy, in the form of therapy or counseling, aims to treat depression by by teaching the individual new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to the depression.
Antidepressants help to alter the brain chemistry to improve mood. However, Some people struggle with the side effects of antidepressants, and even more have trouble finding the right antidepressant for their major depression. Others have tried several already without luck and are left wondering, “do antidepressants work for me?” If you’ve had any of these thoughts, you are not alone.
The largest prospective clinical trial of major depressive disorder ever conducted–the STAR*D study–found that for patients who have not found relief from 3 or more antidepressants, the chance of remission from subsequent medications is less than 7%. And with every subsequent medication, patients are more likely to discontinue treatment due to side effects.
If antidepressants haven’t been the answer you need, consider TMS treatment from Elevation Heath. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy is a safe, FDA-cleared, non-drug treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), that’s been performed over 4.3 million times to date.
At Elevation Health, we believe that we can help our clients find true freedom from their symptoms as well as their prescriptions.
See the TMS page for more information!