Depression can be a fatal mental health disorder and is extremely common across age groups and demographics. Clinical depression is a medical condition that goes beyond being sad and can cause severe, long-lasting symptoms. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in the world. This means many treatment options are available to those struggling with depression. If you are searching for “depression treatment near me” online, reach out to Springfield Wellness Center today via 844.334.4727 to discuss your options instead.
Understanding Depression
Clinical depression is a medical condition that does not only include everyday sadness. The most common psychiatric disorder worldwide, depression, must be treated by mental health professionals. Those with depression often have a lower quality of life, a higher risk of suicide, and poor physical outcomes if they deal with other illnesses. Living in a small town like Springfield can make many feel isolated and like they don’t have the resources available. However, Springfield Wellness Center is open to treating all your psychiatric needs.
To be diagnosed with depression, a person must have at least five or more of the following symptoms present daily for at least two weeks:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
- Change in appetite or weight
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Feelings of isolation
- Poor concentration
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Depression affects not only those dealing with it but the people surrounding them. A small town like Springfield relies on community, and community relies on healthy individuals. Currently, 24.9% of Louisiana residents are struggling with depression.1
Best Treatment for Depression
Treating depression depends entirely on what works for the individual. Therefore, it’s difficult to say what the best treatment for depression is. Generally, for the initial treatment of major depression, a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is recommended. Combination treatment has been proven to be more effective than either treatment given on its own.
Psychotherapy can result in persistent benefits after treatment ends. Psychotherapy is available to help individuals develop new coping skills and adaptive ways to think about the problems within their lives. This is not always true with antidepressants, as many people relapse after taking them.
During treatment, patients can measure the severity of their symptoms and determine if they are improving or worsening every two or four weeks.
About Antidepressants
Selecting an antidepressant can seem daunting when there are so many choices. Many who seek treatment through antidepressants discover what works best through trial and error. The most commonly used medications are from the following classes:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Atypical antidepressants
- Serotonin modulators
Most of these antidepressants are generally equivalent in terms of efficacy. However, they are selected based on external factors such as:
- Each medication’s safety and side effects
- The person’s specific depressive symptoms
- Other medication a person is taking
- What the person prefers
- Cost of medication
- Previous responses to antidepressants
- Ease of use
Some patients struggling with depression have trouble sleeping and are given antidepressants known to help people sleep. Other patients might sleep too much and be given something to help them stay awake.
Find Depression Treatment in Louisiana at Springfield Wellness Center
Several factors in Springfield might make its residents experience depression, from cold winters to feeling isolated in a small town. However, nobody should feel the need to live day-to-day with depression. Contact Springfield Wellness Center today at 844.334.4727 to speak with someone from our caring and compassionate team and learn more about our depression treatment options.
Footnote:
1. United Health Foundation – America’s Health Rankings: Depression in Louisiana