What is depression?

Depression (also known as major depressive disorder) is a serious illness that affects your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It causes a constant low mood and other distressing symptoms that include:

• Intense sadness

• Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing

• Guilt, shame, despair, and other negative emotions

• Appetite changes

• Chronic fatigue

• Slowed movements

• Difficulty thinking clearly

• Changes in your sleep quality

• Memory problems

• Odd aches and pains

These symptoms are different for everyone. For instance, some people lose their appetite while others overeat.

If you’ve been having symptoms like these for more than two weeks, you should seek a diagnosis at Pure Psychiatry of Michigan.

What causes depression?

The reasons why some people get depression and others don’t isn’t entirely clear. The functional cause seems to be an imbalance in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, specifically ones like dopamine and serotonin.

Genetics could have an influence, as you’re more likely to suffer from depression if other people in your family have the condition. Problems like low self-esteem and external issues like grief, abuse, poverty, and severe or chronic stress are often triggers for depression. In some cases, depression simply strikes out of the blue.

Depression affects people at every age, including children. Pure Psychiatry of Michigan can help anyone who’s struggling with symptoms of depression.

How is depression treated? 

Your provider at Pure Psychiatry of Michigan is likely to use two main treatments for depression:

Medication

Rebalancing the chemicals in your brain could have a significant impact on your recovery from depression. There are various types of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, which include fluoxetine) and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline.

You may have to try several medicines before finding the one that’s right for you. Also, it can take some weeks for the medication to start having an effect, so you might not feel any benefit to begin with. It’s important to stick with your medication and see your provider at Pure Psychiatry of Michigan regularly to review your progress and make any adjustments.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) takes different forms. Some help you manage your symptoms day-to-day, while others investigate any underlying emotional problems or traumas that could be causing your illness.

Your provider might use a combination of these treatments to achieve the best results. They’re also happy to adopt new, proven therapies as they become available, if they offer patients sufficient benefit.

To get expert help for your depression, call Pure Psychiatry of Michigan today or book an appointment online.