True Blue State: A Case of Depression

Millions of American suffers from clinical depression or major depressive disorder. Clinical depression remains as the most prevalent mental disorder in the country. Proved as a severe mood disorder it greatly affects daily normal routine such as eating, sleeping and working.

However, feeling blue is different from depression. Depression varies in seriousness from mild, brief period of sadness to serious unrelenting depression. Moreover, it is different from depression felt when losing a loved one or caused from a medical condition like hypothyroidism or HIV/AIDS.

The American Psychiatric Association published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) to better access someone who suffers from clinical depression. Aside from mental health providers, insurance companies also use the manual for reimbursement of a treatment.

Signs and symptoms of depression

The signs and symptoms of depression vary from a person to another. With clinical depression, one must have felt the following symptoms for most of the day, almost every day for at least two weeks.

•    Feeling of emptiness, sadness even worthlessness
•     Persistent irritability
•    Losing interest or pleasure in most activities or hobbies
•    Decrease in vitality which may manifest in talking or moving slowly
•    Significant changes in weight either losing or gaining weight
•    Difficulty in sleeping or an increased longing for more sleep
•    Restlessness or having difficult to stay still
•    Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
•    Regular thoughts of suicide or death

Causes of Depression

Numerous factors play a vital part to trigger depression such as trauma, abuse, social media, and genetics.

Trauma

In 2013, researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that traumatic experience is the leading cause anxiety and depression. Within the past years, people saw chains of traumatic events in the news. These traumatic events can also affect people even if they are not involved in the incident directly.

Abuse

People who suffer from emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse in their relationship can develop depression later in life.

Social media

Several studies show that devoting too much time in social networking sites can also lead to depression. Experts coined the occurrence as “Facebook Depression”, which lead an individual to cope with real life situation.

Genetics

An individual may inherit a gene which predisposes major depression. However, it does not mean they are destined to develop depression; other factors still play an important part.

Treatment for depression

Fortunately, depression can be treated and those affected can also lead normal lives. Several treatments are now available for depression.

Natural way of coping up with depression

Talk therapy serves as one of the best and natural treatment for depression. Many choose “talk therapy” for months focusing on key issues in their lives before moving gradually to work on the subliminal issues.

Three common talk therapy exist to cure depression naming Interpersonal, Problem-solving and Cognitive behavioral therapy.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy focuses on the relationship with other people, and how the interaction affects the patient. The therapist will assess the situation and identify unhealthy behaviors in order to change them.

Problem-solving therapy

Helping the patient to cope their daily lives is the focus for Problem-solving therapy. The therapist helps the patient how to manage their problems and coaching them to proactively take action to solve it.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

The therapist will help the patient how to manage their problems by changing how they perceive things and their behavior. This therapy focuses on the patient’s coping strategies.

Medications

Medication can relieve certain symptoms of depression. It does not cure the main cause of the depression. Also, anti-depressant medication may come with side effects.  However, medication plays a vital part for controlling depression. Antidepressants help improve how the brain uses particular chemicals which control mood.

Nonetheless, the most important key to curing depression is to acknowledge the disorder and seek professional help immediately. Detox of South Florida has counselors to help treat addiction as well as depression. Often when detoxing, addicts can experience bouts of depression. Our expert staff is trained to help you or your loved ones in a compassionate way.

Dr. Vikram Tarugu MD

Dr. Vikram Tarugu, M.D, is the CEO of Detox of South Florida, Inc and medical professional focused on addiction. A veteran in the medical field with over 25 years of professional experience. He is a consultant for many South Florida Rehab centers. Patients travel from allover the US to seek his help with addiction and Hepatitis C treatment.