Major Depressive Disorder
Among the psychological disorders in modern times, depression is one of the commonest. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 7 adults will experience depression in their life. That is significant enough to warrant treatment. If you are experiencing what you suspect to be depression, here is what you need to know and how you can get help.
Although some levels of depression may go unnoticed, it may progress to severe levels which significantly impact your life. Depression/anxiety often occur together making life even further for people suffering from it. That’s why there have been efforts not only in Wisconsin but throughout the country to address mental health problems through the healthcare system.
What is Depression?
Depression is the negative affective state of mind which ranges from unhappiness and discontent to extreme feelings of sadness, discouragement and pessimism, which interferes with your daily life. It ranges from mild levels that are often missed to severe cases which are classified as clinical levels of depression.
Mild levels are subtle. You may feel tired, have trouble sleeping or waking up or feel irritated and never suspect that it could be depression. That’s how mild levels go unnoticed. It may take years before you realize you actually have a problem and that’s often when it gets worse, or something triggers it’s worsening.
Clinical depression is when you cannot continue with your daily life until you seek treatment. At Edelica Health, we have had the privilege of assisting patients who felt they were on the edge find their path to recovery.
You may come across the mention of bipolar disorder often in discussions around depression. By definition, bipolar disorder is when you have extreme mood swings between emotional highs and lows (depression). The department of health services in Wisconsin supervises the public mental health system which encompasses these conditions.
What are the Causes of Depression?
Several factors can increase your chance of depression. If you are experiencing depression, it may be likely that you have had one of the following:
Abuse- physical, emotional or sexual abuse makes you more vulnerable to clinical depression later on in your life
Conflict- personal conflict or disputes with your family and friends can trigger depression
Death or a loss- sadness and grief after the death or loss of your loved ones
Major events- good events like a new job, graduation and marriage or adverse events like losing a job, moving and divorce can make you slip into depression
Serious illness- depression may coexist with serious illnesses or may be triggered by them
Some medications- for instance, corticosteroids, Interferon Alpha and others increase your risk
Substance abuse- 30% of people with the problem of substance abuse suffer from clinical depression
Other personal problems- social isolation or being cast out of family or social groups
Genetics- having a family member who suffered from depression increases your likelihood
It could be one or several factors that are contributing to your depression. Uncovering the trigger is essential in the management of both mild and clinical depression. Depression treatment may be ineffective if the trigger is not addressed. We have several health care professionals with expertise in mental health, ready to unravel what might be causing it and offer you the best treatment options.
Depression Symptoms
Most people know that having a low mood state is the symptom to look out for when it comes to depression. However, there are many other depression symptoms that point towards the condition. According to behavioral health, symptoms of depression are:
- Loss of self-esteem and confidence
- Sleep disturbance which can be insomnia or excessive sleep
- Appetite disturbance that can be reduced or increased
- Apathy or lack of interest/ pleasure in your usual activities
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Worthlessness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Crying spells
- Lack of concentration
- Guilt
- Suicidal thoughts
Physical pain- headaches, body pains, digestive problems and cramps
When these symptoms start setting in, you will notice your productivity tanking. The impact on productivity will be more profound at work or school. The things you used to enjoy become a burden and you may find yourself on ‘autopilot’ or doing it for the sake of it.
Your relationships also suffer significantly when you go through depression. If you are not good at communicating, your loved ones end up as collateral damage to your struggle. It ends up in family disputes, divorce and other issues that further worsen your depression. It becomes a vicious cycle which will make every day unbearable.
When should you see the doctor about your depression?
When you start having suicidal thoughts, you should seek help as soon as possible. Thoughts about suicide and death may overwhelm you and with a single wrong decision. Statistics indicate that 70% of deaths from suicide are related to depression.
Ketamine Treatment For Depression
Ketamine acts by balancing brain chemicals. When you are depressed, your brain is unable to use a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Ketamine helps in the balancing of glutamate levels. Through its direct action, it produces rapid results, unlike other depressants that may take 2-4 weeks before relieving the depression, which in 50% of patients doesn’t happen until the second round of antidepressants.
Get Help With Your Depression At Edelica Health
You don’t have to suffer in silence. When left unchecked, it can make your life unbearable and therefore, the earlier you seek help, the better. We are ready to help you find your path to recovery. Our quality services have made us one of the leading Ketamine Treatment Clinics in Milwaukee, WI. Contact us today and let us help you get back to a happier, fulfilling life.