Everyone gets sad from time to time; that’s a part of life. However, if you feel sad all the time, chances are you’re dealing with depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD). Fortunately, treatments are available that can help ease the sadness and let you get back to living your life.
At Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Kanwaljit “Kavi” Sidhu, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, and our staff diagnose and treat depression in many of our patients at our Palm Harbor, Florida, office. If you or a loved one is feeling sad all the time, here’s what we can do to help you get through it.
Depression is a type of mood disorder. It leads to persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in things you once found pleasurable. It affects how you think, feel, and behave, and it can lead to a number of other emotional and physical problems. In severe cases, you can have trouble with daily activities, and you may feel that death is preferable to living.
It’s important to understand that depression isn't a weakness or character flaw, and it’s not something you can simply “snap out” of. It often requires long-term treatment, usually a combination of medication and some form of psychotherapy.
Doctors aren’t sure of the exact causes of depression, but they believe it may arise from a variety of factors, including:
Researchers have found that people with depression have structural changes in their brains. They don’t fully understand the significance of these changes, but they may eventually help them pinpoint a cause.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between nerves within the brain. Research indicates that changes in the transmitters’ levels, how they function, and how they interact with brain areas involved in maintaining mood may play a significant role in causing depression, as well as determining the effectiveness of treatment.
Changes in the balance of hormones in the body may trigger depression in some people. One example where we know it plays a role is in pregnancy (postpartum depression that can result following delivery). In addition, thyroid problems may lead to depressive symptoms.
Depression is more common in those who have blood relatives with the condition. Researchers are trying to determine which genes or gene variants are involved in causing depression.
Depression usually comes in phases or episodes. During these episodes, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms most of the day and nearly every day:
If you think you may attempt suicide, go to the nearest ER, or, in the US, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic, we offer several treatments for depression, including:
This option involves talking to a therapist or counselor to resolve issues that are making you depressed. One common technique is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where you learn to recognize negative thought patterns and change them to more positive ones.
There are a number of different antidepressant medications available that can help with moderate-to-severe depression. You may have to try several before you find one that works well for you.
Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray containing ketamine, and it’s a good option if you don’t respond to traditional antidepressant medications. It works on the glutamate pathway in the brain, as opposed to the serotonin pathway common with other antidepressants.
If you or a loved one is experiencing depression symptoms, our team at Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic can help. Call our office at 727-382-1383 to schedule a consultation, or contact us online today.