Depression is common
In Australia, one million people endure depression each year. At some point in their lives, one in six women and one in eight men struggle with depression. The good news is that depression can be treated, just like a medical condition can, and there are excellent medications available.
A depressed person can recover faster if they seek help right away.
Types of depression
Depression comes in a variety of forms. Depending on the condition, the symptoms can be quite severe or very moderate (yet nonetheless incapacitating). The most common types of depression include:
Major depression
Dysthymic disorder
Bipolar disorder (which used to be called manic depression)
Cyclothymic disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Treatment for depression
It's doubtful that depression will just disappear on its own. In fact, untreated depression can last for months or even years and have a variety of detrimental repercussions on a person's life.
Everyone must locate the course of action that is best for them. Finding a treatment that works can take some time and patience.
Different depressions call for various treatments. Small-scale symptom relief includes:
Gaining knowledge of the disease,
Making lifestyle modifications (such as engaging in regular physical activity),
Receiving psychiatric treatment from a mental health expert,
or using online e-therapies.
Your physician might suggest you seek care from a psychologist, social worker, counsellor, or psychiatrist. Most of these providers offer Medicare rebates that you can use to pay their fees. You must have a GP Mental Health Plan, so consult your physician for additional information.
Psychological treatments for depression
Depression can be successfully treated with psychological therapies, sometimes referred to as talking therapies. They can assist you in altering your thought processes and enhancing your coping mechanisms to better prepare you to handle the stresses and tensions of daily life.
Psychological therapy can aid in your maintenance of health by identifying and modifying problematic attitudes and behaviours in addition to aiding in your recovery.
There are numerous varieties of psychological therapies, including:
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Behaviour therapy (BT)
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
One of the most widely practised psychological treatments is CBT. It aids depressed individuals in recognising and altering harmful thought patterns and enhancing coping mechanisms to better prepare them to handle the stresses and conflicts of daily life.
Antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medication is the main medical strategy for treating depression. When a person experiences a moderate to severe bout of depression, antidepressant medication may be recommended along with psychosocial therapy. Antidepressants are occasionally administered when other therapies have failed or when psychological therapies are not feasible because of the severity of the ailment or a lack of access to the therapy.
Medication is typically required for the treatment of people with more severe forms of depression, such as bipolar disorder and psychosis. Mood stabilisers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants may be used alone or in combination.
Antidepressants come in many different varieties. The ideal antidepressant for a particular person can be difficult to choose. The choice is determined after careful evaluation and discussion in cooperation with a doctor. Antidepressants take at least two weeks to start working, and it could take some time for the doctor to discover the right drug and dose for the patient.
Antidepressants may help people feel better, but they won't alter their personalities or provide them constant happiness. Certain people may encounter certain side effects, just like with any other drug.
Sleeping patterns and depression
Sleep patterns may be disturbed by depression. To fully recuperate, it's imperative to make an effort to return to a regular sleep schedule. Here are some pointers for getting back to a regular sleep schedule:
Try to wake up and go to bed at roughly the same hour every day.
If you find yourself worried at night, schedule some time during the day to work on your problems.
Try to limit yourself to two cups of caffeine-containing beverages each day, such as coffee, strong tea, cola, or energy drinks, after 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Don't use alcohol to induce sleep. You sleep less deeply and wake up more often as a result of the alcohol breakdown in your body.
Before going to bed, give yourself some time to unwind. At least 30 minutes before night, cease working or studying and engage in something pleasant.
Negative thoughts and depression
People with depression frequently worry or think negatively. This makes it harder for you to concentrate on getting healthier and increases your susceptibility to negative feelings.
Tips to help you control worry and reduce negative thinking include:
What worries you should be written down. Think about how realistic your worries are as you go through each one. Investigate other theories and justifications.
Don't try to fixate on things that are beyond your control.
Be present-minded. Without actively engaging with them, accept your thoughts.
Create a list of your issues and potential fixes. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, then select the one that looks best. Examine whether the solution to the issue was successful.
Dealing with irritability
Those who are depressed occasionally become agitated. Changes in sleeping habits and lifestyle can make these symptoms worse.
Help yourself to deal with this by:
talking to supportive people.
stopping and taking a break to calm down.
practising regular relaxation to lessen the effects of irritating or frustrating situations.
sharing your situation with friends, family, and coworkers can help.
Prevention
There is no effective method to stop depression. However, these methods might be useful.
Take action to manage your stress, build your resilience, and improve your self-esteem.
To get through difficult times, reach out to family and friends, especially during times of crisis.
Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening.
Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
The final words
Sadness is a normal, healthy emotion. Some people experience sudden sadness that is brought on by something as simple as a song playing on the radio. It wanes and wanes. They cannot "snap out of" it or exert control over it. It results in persistent emotions and thoughts. Many people struggle to focus, lose interest in routine daily chores, and feel exhausted. These are all symptoms of depression, a mood condition sometimes known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression.