![]() ![]() Or maybe psychotherapy increases the odds that patients will stick to their medication schedule. Perhaps medication eases symptoms so that patients are more open to psychotherapy. Studies suggest that typically a combination of psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either method alone. The most frequently used approaches are either medication, which is thought to lessen symptoms by acting on neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers in the brain psychotherapy aimed at altering thought patterns that negatively affect mood or a combination of the two. “The sooner you can internalize some of what you learn, the longer you can carry that knowledge with you to help you stay healthy,” says Carol Landau, PhD, a clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.Īfter having a good medical workup to rule out any underlying causes, a person diagnosed with major depression can be treated a number of ways. When Is It Not Major Depressive Disorder?Īs with many illnesses, the earlier treatment for depression begins, the more effective it is likely to be in alleviating symptoms and reducing the odds of a recurrence. ![]() So, for example, if you normally have trouble falling asleep, insomnia wouldn’t count as a symptom of major depression for you. It’s important to note that to count toward a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, a symptom must cause significant distress or make everyday tasks much harder than usual. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (without or without a specific plan), or a suicide attempt.Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or making decisions.Feeling worthless or inappropriately guilty, such as constantly thinking about past mistakes.Fatigue, tiredness, or loss of energy that makes even simple tasks, such as dressing or washing, difficult.Increased restlessness - or the opposite, moving more slowly.Difficulty sleeping ( insomnia) or oversleeping (hypersomnia).Significant changes in appetite - weight loss or gain not related to dieting.One of those symptoms needs to be persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, or a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, such as work, hobbies, seeing friends - even food and sex.Īccording to the American Psychiatric Association’s current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), you also need to experience at least four of the following symptoms (or three if you have both of the symptoms above): ![]()
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