Everyone has experienced being down. You were sad when you failed to get into your dream university. You were sad when you had a fight with your spouse. These may be common reasons that normally cause sadness. But, if your sadness lasts on average 6-8 months, then it might not be a simple case of sadness anymore. You might be suffering from depression.
Depression is a mental illness and a common mood disorder. Did you know that depression affects 350 million people globally and is most common in women? When you are suffering from depression, it is more than just a feeling of sadness and it is not a passing one.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
At Allay Health and Wellness, our experts in depression treatment, Palm Beach County assess for the following signs and symptoms before establishing a depression diagnosis:
- You lose interest in activities you previously enjoyed doing.
- You have a low appetite.
- You experienced sudden weight loss.
- You have a loss of energy.
- You feel that your life is worthless.
- You have difficulty sleeping.
- You are in an agitated state.
- You can’t concentrate and are always confused.
- You have recurrent thoughts of attempting suicide.
Causes and Risk Factors for Depression
Depression has a wide range of causes and it may be a combination of any of the following factors:
- Genetics
If one of your family members has a history of depression, you are predisposed to suffering from depression sometime in your life.
- Personality type
If you have low confidence and a negative attitude, you are more likely to develop depression. People who find it hard to cope with problems are also at risk.
- Environmental factors
The place you live in significantly contributes to experiencing depression. If you grew up in an environment filled with poverty and violence, you’re at risk of depression.
- Social factors
The people around you may also be a factor for your depression. Being around negative people and people who make you feel inferior can lead to depression.
Some people are at a higher risk of getting depressed, especially if they belong in any of the following:
- People who are currently undergoing tough life events, such as sudden unemployment, divorce, health issues, the death of a family member, and other life events that cause sadness and stress
- People who experienced a traumatic childhood
- People who have a low self-esteem and weak personality
- People who have a family history of depression
- People who are taking certain medications
- People who are alcoholic. Alcohol actually depresses your central nervous system
- People with a history of head injury
- People who have a chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, and diabetes
Depression Treatment
Ketamine therapy is an effective, fast-acting medication to treat depression. Allay Health and Wellness doctors offer depression treatment in Palm Beach County and use ketamine infusion as a new generation of treatment for the disease.
Aside from prescribing antidepressant medications, your doctor will ask you to participate in psychotherapy sessions. Psychotherapy is generally known as talk therapy wherein you will talk about your condition with a mental health professional.
Psychotherapies help you relieve stress and burdens by talking to someone. You’ll also find more ways on how to better cope with your problems so that you can recover from depression quickly.
How to Manage Depression at Home
Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy sessions help a lot in treating depression. However, there are also certain ways of managing depression at home. To help you feel better, you can do the following:
- Get some exercise
When you do physical activities such as walking or jogging, your body releases your “feel-good” chemicals called endorphins. When you feel good, you gain a more positive outlook.
- Have enough sleep
While being depressed makes you sleep deprived, try your best to have enough sleep so that you’ll have sufficient energy for the next day. To help you sleep better, dim the lights in your room and remove distractions such as a TV, laptop, mobile phone, and other sources of blue light. Investing in a therapy pillow that provides comfort is also a good way to maximize your sleep.
- Eat healthy foods
Depression might make you an emotional eater. Try your best to eat healthier foods. There are foods that can help ease your depression such as salmon, tuna and other foods that are rich in omega 3. Foods that are rich in folic acid are good for you as well, such as citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables.
- Get a support system
Surrounding yourself with friends and family members who genuinely care about you can boost your mood and wellbeing, making it easier for you to recover from depression.
Where to look for depression treatment in Palm Beach Gardens
Managing your depression can be a tough job. With the help of your doctor, family and friends, and your own willpower, you have a great chance of recovering from depression.
At Allay Health and Wellness, we offer the opportunity for individuals to begin on a journey to a better quality of life. We are now able to help patients connect the dots as to what is happening in their turbulent subconscious. Most of us are unable to articulate the reasons why we do the things that we do. We are forever perplexed as to why we cannot find happiness, or achieve a lasting peace of mind.
If you would like more information about our depression treatment, do not hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.