Depression: What Can I Do For Depression?
The first step is identifying the illness. Depression is more that just feeling sad for a few days. Depression means weeks of being so sad, you start having trouble working or going to school. You start having problems in relationships. Problems develop in just taking care of you.
People with depression have two types of symptoms. The first type is psychological. The second type is physical. Psychological symptoms are sadness, lack of desire for fun, hopelessness helplessness, despair, worthlessness, guilt, thoughts of death and dying. The physical symptoms are changes in appetite and changes in weight. Problems with sleeping develop. Usually individuals wake from sleep easily. Problems with concentration and cognition develop. Individuals become agitated or irritable. Problems dealing with stressors and making decisions.
That’s enough about symptoms. Once you see you or a loved one has depression help is crucial. See a mental health professional. Things can be done right away if you are depressed. One important thing is to start exercising everyday. Stop drinking alcohol or using non prescribed sleep aids. Start eating a healthy diet. That means lean meats, fresh chicken, fruits, vegetables and nuts. No sugar, salt or complex carbs. Complex carbs are anything from a bakery. You know cakes, cookies, candies, breads and processed foods. That’s what individuals can do for themselves. Then it might be helpful to see a psychotherapist. That’s where you sit and talk to someone. Seeing a psychiatrist is also helpful. (more…)
Learn MoreBipolar Disorder: How Do You Treat Bipolar Disorder?
The treatment depends on what state the individual is in and how severe. Manic patients have a wide range of symptoms. The severely agitated and psychiatric manic patient needs hospitalization and treatment with antipsychotics, like Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, and Zyprexa. The less severe forms of mania respond to Depakote, Lamictal, Trileptal, Lithium, Abilify, Topamax and Zonegran. The key here is to put someone on a medication which they can live with. Most Bipolar patients require a lifetime of treatment.
What happens if they are depressed with a known history of mania? You have to pre-treat with a mood stabilizer which I mentioned above and then use an anti-depressant. Anti-depressant medications I like to use are Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Zoloft and Prozac.
(Note, some mood stabilizers like Abilify, Lamictal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa may be enough to treat both depression and mania.) (more…)
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