Getting Help With Clinical Depression

People who suffer from clinical depression deal with feelings of hopelessness, sadness and emptiness. It is normal for sufferers to feel as if they are alone, but there is help available. Learn what types of treatment options work for depression and keep in mind that you might require a combination of treatments to achieve the optimal results for your case.

Professional treatment options for clinical depression

Those who suffer from clinical depression should begin by seeking help from a professional. People should get help from a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist so that they can effectively manage their symptoms.

Psychiatric treatment

Psychiatrists can prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms of depression. There are lots of medication options.

Many psychiatrists start patients out on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications block the brain’s receptors from reabsorbing serotonin. The extra serotonin improves the patient’s mood.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) block the reabsorption of serotonin and increase neurotransmitter levels. These medications do have more side effects than SSRIs, but they usually go after a few weeks.

Tricyclic antidepressants are also an option for people with clinical depression. These medications impact the brain’s chemical messengers and alleviate the symptoms of depression. They are highly effective, but due to the number of side effects, they are typically not used unless other medications have not been effective.

Additional options

Depending on the needs of the patient, the psychiatrist might also use anxiety medications and mood stabilizers to treat patients. These medications are usually prescribed in addition to antidepressants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also an effective treatment for clinical depression. Therapists have lots of options for talk therapy, although cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular choice. This therapy helps people modify their thought patterns in order to eliminate negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to identify stressors in their lives and find ways to manage them properly. When patients combine therapy with mediation, they can achieve good results.

Lifestyle changes

People are also encouraged to make some lifestyle changes to alleviate depression symptoms. Drugs and alcohol can make depression symptoms worse, so people should avoid these substances.

Physical activity can give people a boost, so they should get as active as possible. This can be difficult when dealing with depression, but even taking a short walk around the neighborhood can help.

People also need to eat healthy foods and get enough sleep. This will help them get in the proper state of mind to tackle their depression.

Get help for depression

If you suffer from clinical depression, it is important to seek help. Go to a psychiatrist to get on the right medication and then make an appointment with a psychotherapist for talk therapy. Round the treatment out with some positive lifestyle changes that will help you feel better in the long run. When you seek help, you can finally get your life back on track and find joy in your favorite things once again.

Request an appointment here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.

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