Warning Signs Your Depression Needs Medical Attention

Everybody gets “the blues” sometimes. Feeling down is a part of the normal, variable process of life. Depression, though, is something entirely different. It’s a mental health disorder noted for a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness,a sense of worthlessness, and loss of interest in daily activities.

Depression is so widespread, it’s the primary cause of disability worldwide, affecting some 3.8% of the global population. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you regain your quality of life, but you have to know the signs that you need medical attention first. That’s where Sidhu Psychiatric comes in.

Our board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Kanwaljit “Kavi” Sidhu NP-C, PMHNP-BC, uses a trauma-informed approach to depression and its treatment, ensuring patients feel they’re in a safe, nonjudgmental environment and helping empower their care. Before Kavi can start, though, a patient has to know they need medical attention, so she discusses the warning signs below.

What causes depression?

Depression is a biochemical disorder that derives from a complex interaction of biological, social, and psychological factors. It’s more likely to occur if you’re chronically stressed; on the other hand, being depressed may increase your stress level and thereby worsen the disorder.

Depression and physical health are also closely linked. For example, being a couch potato or having cardiovascular disease or diabetes can all lead to depression. At the same time, being depressed can lead to developing a medical problem, from poor nutrition and lack of exercise to diabetes.

Other factors that contribute to depression include:

Genetics: you’re at greater risk of developing depression if a close relative has it
Changes in brain neurotransmitter levels, especially serotonin, norepinephrine, and glutamate
Changes in nerve activity
Other physical or mental conditions, including bipolar disorder and anxiety

Every person is unique, so the contributing factors vary from one person to another. However, data show that women are twice as likely as men to develop the condition.

Warning signs of depression

As with causes, the signs of depression can vary between individuals, but if you notice any of them, you should make an appointment at Sidhu Psychiatric to get checked out. Signs may include any or all of the following:

Decreased interest in hobbies, activities, or social gatherings
Decreased libido
Changes in appetite
Unintentional weight loss or gain
Sleeping too much or too little
Overwhelming fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
Difficulty thinking, focusing, and making decisions

When depressive episodes become recurrent, or if they’re moderate-to-severe in intensity, depression becomes a serious health condition. It may lead to isolation and detachment, poor attendance/performance at work or school, suicidal ideation, and even suicide attempts.

If you can’t improve your mood with quality sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet, and if you’re becoming detached with thoughts of self-harm, you need medical help.

What does medical intervention for depression look like?

When you come into Sidhu Psychiatric for depression, we take a complete medical history, including length and severity of symptoms and lifestyle factors. Then, we draw up an individualized treatment plan that may include:

Medications

Medications fall into a number of categories:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): usually the first line of treatment; include Lexapro®, Prozac®, and Zoloft®, among others
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): include duloxetine (Cymbalta®), venlafaxine (Effexor XR®), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®, Khedezla®)
Tricyclic antidepressants: only used if SSRIs aren't effective due to side effects; include Tofranil®, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and doxepin
Other medications: often used “off label,” includes mood stabilizers and antipsychotics or stimulant medications for short-term use to boost antidepressant effects

Medications may take up to 12 weeks to reach a therapeutic level, so it’s important to be patient while they go to work.

Psychotherapy

Also known as “talk therapy,” psychotherapy comes in many forms. One of the most effective is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It teaches you to question negative and depressive thoughts and to translate them into positive and productive actions. It can also be applied to other areas of your life that need improvement.

If you have any of the warning signs of depression, come into Sidhu Psychiatric to get tailored and effective medical help. To get started, call our office in Palm Harbor, Florida, at 727-382-1383, or contact us online today.