Depression

Depression Symptoms and Signs

One of the things that can make a diagnosis of depression difficult is that not all patients exhibit exactly the same symptoms and signs. Different individuals will experience different frequencies, levels of severity, and length of time for their symptoms — depending on their particular situation and how far their illness has progressed. Nonetheless, some of the typical signs of depression may include:

Ongoing feelings of sadness, anxiousness or hopelessness
Persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
Chronic irritability and/or restlessness
Lack of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
Loss of sex drive
Ongoing fatigue
Decreased energy
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Loss of appetite or overeating
Thoughts of or attempts at suicide
Hard time concentrating, poor memory, difficulty making decisions

Causes of Depression
While images taken of the brain reveal that the brains of people with depression look different from the brains of people without it, it is not clear why the depression has occurred. In fact, there are many potential causes for depression, such as genetics, biology, environment and psychology; most likely, it is a combination of these factors. While the illness does tend to run in families, it can occur in individuals with no family background of depression, too.

Treatment for Depression
Patients who are diagnosed with depression have hope — through the right treatments, you can find depression help, improving quality of life and better managing your condition. Some of the most common treatments for depression include medication and psychotherapy. Medications typically mean antidepressants, drugs that work on brain chemicals to help regulate mood. Types of antidepressants include:

SSRIs: The newer antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and include drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil and Celexa.
Tricyclics: Older antidepressants called tricyclics are now less commonly used due to their side effects. Examples of tricyclics include imipramine and nortriprtyline.
MAOIs: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are some of the oldest antidepressants, which require the avoidance of certain foods like cheese and red wine while you’re on them.

Psychotherapy can also be a powerful treatment option, giving patients with depression a place to learn how to deal with their condition. While this option may not be sufficient for patients with severe clinical depression, it is often highly beneficial for those with a mild to moderate condition.

Why Come to Fast MD 4 You for Depression Treatments?
If you or someone you love may be dealing with depression, come to Fast MD 4 you. Our patient-focused clinic offers convenient and affordable health care for a comprehensive range of conditions, including how to help depression. Thanks to a caring and compassionate staff of board-certified physicians, we provide the highest level of personalized care, in order to help you better manage and respond to your condition. At Fast MD 4 You, we believe every patient matters — and that is why we’re here to serve you.
Contact us today to set up an appointment.