Consulting an Expert
There are various stages of depression. Even though mild and moderate depression may not need to be treated by a therapist or specialist, it is a must that you get yourself or your loved one checked by a medical expert so that you know how far the problem might have transgressed. What this would do is allow you to realize whether or not you need professional help for the condition.
Instead of going to a regular doctor, visit either a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. They are the ones who will be able to guide as to whether or not you have depression in the first place and if yes, then what the course of treatment should be. Below is a list of the options that you will be given or advised to follow with respect to the kind of depression you are suffering from.
Drugs
Once depression has been diagnosed, various options will be considered. One such option is depression medicines. Antidepressants are the most common treatment for depression. But before explaining what the drugs do or how useful they may be, understand this loud and clear; you cannot take
antidepressants without a doctor’s prescription. No matter how mild or side-
affectless the drug may be, antidepressants are not meant to be taken lightly. They can have very serious effects on your body functions, as well as the alteration of your mind and mood.
When you take antidepressants, they help in lifting your mood, getting rid of feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness. They also alter some other physical conditions. If you are already a medical patient, you simply cannot prescribe an antidepressant for yourself, because a reaction may occur that leads to heart attack or stroke.
Another thing that you need to understand about antidepressants is the fact that where one drug is great for one individual, it may not work at all for another. This means that the effects of antidepressants vary from person to person. Some people need higher dosages, while others need lower. Therefore, talk to an expert before taking any drugs. If your loved one has depression, make sure that they are also not taking any drugs without consulting a professional first.
Psychotherapy
The best part about it is that it does not require the use of any drugs or chemicals that can lead to harmful side effects. There are multiple ways psychotherapy is conducted depending on the type and intensity of depression a patient faces.
The basic aim of psychotherapy is to allow a person to talk about whatever is going on in their minds, without fear of being ridiculed or judged. The relationship of a depressive and therapist is such that nothing that the individual tells them can be divulged to anyone else. This sense of security and comfort is what makes psychoth