Recognizing the Signs: When to See a Doctor for Depression

Many of us feel sad or down every so often, especially during times of life change or stress. However, there are some significant differences between temporary sadness and major depressive disorder. Depression symptoms can be important to understand, as depression is a serious but treatable condition.

Understanding Depression

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. It is a common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide, and it can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background.

Identifying Depression Symptoms

Common symptoms of major depressive disorder include changes in mood, appetite, sleep, and energy levels. Depression can also involve feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness. People who are experiencing depression often find that they are no longer interested in the activities they once enjoyed. With severe depression, they may even find it difficult to complete tasks of daily life, including showering, or getting dressed.

In addition to mental health symptoms, physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, and chronic pain can also occur with depression.

Not everyone who is depressed shows all these depression symptoms, and some people may experience only a few.

When to Seek Professional Help

Depression can be a serious illness. If you’re experiencing five or more symptoms of depression on most days, it’s time to seek professional help. Severe depression can have a negative impact on mental health, and can be dangerous. If you are struggling with daily life, relationships, or work due to depression symptoms, a mental health professional can treat depression and get you back on track.

If you’re in immediate danger, having suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of self-harm call emergency services or a crisis hotline.

Diagnosing Depression

If you suspect that you are experiencing depression or other mental disorders, talk to your doctor. A primary care doctor or mental health professional can diagnose depression based on symptoms and medical history.

A doctor will typically begin the process with a physical exam and lab tests may to rule out other conditions that could be causing symptoms. Once physical conditions have been ruled out, you may be referred to a psychiatrist, therapist, or other mental health professional.

A mental health professional may use a standardized questionnaire to assess symptoms and severity using the criteria of the diagnostic and statistical manual (the clinical standard for diagnosing mental health conditions). Major depression can range from mild depression to severe depression, and the treatment plan can be different based on client needs.

Types of Depression

There are several types of depression that may be diagnosed, depending on symptoms and circumstances. Some of these include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder, a type of depression that lasts for two years or more
• Bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that involves episodes of depression and mania
• Other types of depression include seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Causes and Risk Factors

Researchers have not found one specific cause for clinical depression, rather depression seems to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Risk factors for depression include:

• Family history
• Trauma
• Stress
• Certain medical conditions
• Brain chemistry and hormonal imbalances can also contribute to depression.

Treatment Options

Treatment of your depression will depend on several factors. Medications such as antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are often used to help relieve depression symptoms. Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy, can help individuals change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

A combination of medication and talk therapy is often the most effective treatment for depression.

Sometimes alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbs may be helpful supplemental ways to treat depression. Be sure to talk to your doctor about an herbal supplements, as certain ones can interact with medications.

In extreme cases with severe symptoms, or in cases of persistent depressive disorder, a doctor may recommend brain stimulation therapy. Similar to electroconvulsive therapy, brain stimulation therapies send an electric current directly to specific parts of the brain to help decrease depression symptoms. Brain stimulation therapy is done under general anesthesia and is used for other medical issues like Parkinson's disease and psychosis symptoms.

Self-Care and Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medication and depression therapy, your therapist will likely recommend certain lifestyle habits to manage your symptoms. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting sufficient sleep can help alleviate depression symptoms.

Stress management techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can also be helpful, and your therapist may work with you on learning and establishing these habits.

In addition, connecting with friends and family, and engaging in activities you enjoy, can also help improve mood. Most researchers report that strong social connections are a powerful protective factor for mental health.

Finding a Mental Health Professional

Talk to your doctor about depression before you start mental health treatment. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a mental health professional. Next, check with your insurance provider to see if they cover mental health services.

Look for a mental health professional who specializes in treating depression and similar mental health conditions. Most therapists share their training and specializations on online profiles.

Living with Depression

Depression is a treatable condition, and with the right treatment, individuals can recover and enjoy life again. It’s essential to be patient and persistent when seeking treatment, as it may take time to find the right combination of therapies.

Support from loved ones, support groups, and online resources can also be helpful in managing depression.

Treating Depression in Austin, TX

If you suspect you may be experiencing any of these symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor about depression. They can refer you to further care, including working with a therapist to help manage symptoms.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists offer a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to talk therapy that offer the tools necessary for learning self-compassion, managing stress, and learning healthy coping skills and habits that can treat depression and any co-morbid mental disorders.

If you, a family member, or someone you love is showing signs or symptoms of depression that are impacting their mental or physical health, call our service coordinator to be matched with a therapist that can help you work through the scenarios that trigger depression, support you when you're feeling sad, and offer healthy coping skills and strategies to reduce symptoms and help you live a more fulfilling life.