Depression Specialist

Depression Q & A

What is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a widespread medical illness that negatively affects the way you feel, how you think, and how you behave. 

Depression makes you feel intense and prolonged sadness and can lead to both emotional and physical complications. People who have depression frequently find it hard or even impossible to function either at work or at home. 

You lose interest in what brings you happiness, so there’s nowhere to find relief from your pain. Severe depression can cause you to feel such extreme hopelessness and despair that suicide seems like the only solution. 

Thankfully, with the right treatment and support at Psych Atlanta, you can recover from depression.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression symptoms are likely to include:

• Constant low mood
• Changes in appetite 
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Loss of energy
• Chronic fatigue
• Hand-wringing or pacing
• Slowed movements
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking
• Problems concentrating 

Symptoms can vary; for example, while some people find they lose their appetite, others start overeating. You might find you’re struggling to sleep or spend increasing amounts of time asleep.

If you’ve experienced these symptoms for two weeks or more, you could have depression. However, it’s important to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as hypothyroidism or nutrient deficiencies.

What causes depression?

There are several possible causes for depression. An imbalance in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin is a likely cause of depression, and there may well be a genetic link that makes some people more likely to develop depression. 

If you have low self-esteem or struggle to manage stress, that can make you more likely to experience depression. Environmental factors can also make you more vulnerable to depression, for example:

• Violence
• Abuse
• Neglect 
• Poverty

Depression is a common problem and can affect anyone at any stage in life, but many people experience their first bout during their teens or twenties.

How is depression treated? 

There are two principal approaches Psych Atlanta takes to treating depression: medication and psychotherapy.

Medication

Addressing imbalances in your brain chemistry could make a significant difference in your recovery from depression. To achieve this, you might receive a prescription for antidepressant medication. There are many different sorts of antidepressants, and you may need to try several before finding the most effective for you.

You might feel some improvement in your symptoms within the first few weeks of starting a course of antidepressants, but you might not see the full benefits for several months. If you feel no better, you may need a dose adjustment, addition of another medication, or a new medication altogether.

You need to continue taking your medication for at least six months after your symptoms improve to prevent any relapse. In some cases, people who are vulnerable to depression need to continue taking antidepressants longer term.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is an invaluable tool in treating depression successfully. Psych Atlanta provides several types of therapy, depending on what might be most helpful in your case.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on the present, and how you can solve problems you encounter every day. CBT helps you to recognize distortions in your thinking, and modify your reactions accordingly.

Psychotherapy can also help you deal with any underlying causes of your depression.

If your depression isn’t improving despite these treatments, Psych Atlanta offers alternative therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ketamine therapy, and vagal nerve stimulation (VNS).

If you have any symptoms of depression, don’t try and struggle on alone. Call Psych Atlanta today, or book an appointment online.