A version of this post originally appeared on LiveWellNewYork.com.Understanding depression
When your emotional health suffers, your physical health will suffer, too. Untreated depression can lead to chronic anxiety, weight gain, digestive problems, relationship problems, insomnia and even heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. “The mind and body are very much intertwined, and one system can greatly affect the other,” says Dr. Koenig.
Although it’s normal to occasionally feel sad or anxious, being overwhelmed by these feelings is not. In some cases, depression is triggered by unchecked stress or a traumatic event, like the death of a loved one, a dangerous accident or losing a job. Even factors like age, family history or a lack of social connections can cause a chemical disturbance in the brain that spurs depression. Often, old ways of coping no longer work, leading to sadness and problems living life in a satisfying way.
“Major depression is a disease that affects the brain’s neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals that need to be in balance to allow us to think, feel and function well,” Dr. Koenig explains. “Anyone may experience some degree of depression at some point, but when your emotions and your reactions interfere with your life, that’s when it’s time to think about getting professional help.”
Pursuing your happiness
Simply seeking help for emotional problems puts you in control of your well-being. If you’re losing sleep, feeling easily frustrated or abandoning activities you once enjoyed, it might be time to check in with a specialist such as a social worker or clinical psychologist, or with your primary care physician.
“Anyone can start by just telling their doctor about their symptoms and get a referral to a psychologist,” Dr. Koenig says. “Or, you can start with a specialist in psychotherapy. Sometimes talk therapy alone can help. We’ll also look for a group of symptoms like the inability to concentrate, short temper, sadness, poor sleep patterns and overeating or not eating enough. We will refer you to a physician or a psychiatrist if your symptoms indicate that medication may help. For many people a combination of talk therapy and medication is the best treatment.”
Your doctor or psychologist will start by ruling out any other underlying conditions that could mimic symptoms of depression, including pre-diabetes, hypothyroidism or a nutrient deficiency. If you’re diagnosed with depression, here’s something you can feel good about: It can sometimes be controlled through diet, exercise, lifestyle habits and certain medications.
- Medication – Antidepressants treat such depression symptoms as sleep disturbances, feelings of indifference, sadness and irritability by bringing levels of serotonin, which regulate mood, into a normal range. However, antidepressants are not a silver bullet; incorporating other treatments will give you the best results. “These are not ‘happy pills’ and they don’t control you,” Dr. Koenig says. “These medications address the disease of depression so that you experience normal moods.”
- Group Therapy – “One of the best things about group therapy is that it helps people understand they are not alone and that there is an entire community of people that have the same problems,” Dr. Koenig says. Support groups and individual talk therapy can teach you how to talk through emotions related to depression and identify patterns that prevent you from feeling better. “The more connections you have with people, the less likely you are to become depressed,” she adds.
- Individual Therapy – Meeting with a specialist in psychotherapy can help you identify patterns of coping and responses to everyday events that contribute to depressive symptoms. A skilled therapist can help you develop healthy new patterns as you gain insight into your life and relationships.
- Healthy Lifestyle – Eat small, well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your energy level consistent and minimize mood swings. Regular exercise (NOT a day or two at the gym every few weeks) also will release feel-good brain chemicals known as endorphins, which may ease depression. And don’t forget to catch some Zs. Seven to eight hours (no more, no less) can prevent irritability, sadness and fatigue.
Learn what’s causing your depression by getting to the root cause of it. Find a psychologist who can help by calling 866.804.1007.