If you’ve been experiencing frequent bouts of low mood, hopelessness, fatigue and other symptoms of depression, you should consider seeking help for your symptoms. You’d be one of nearly 61% of adults in the United States who have received treatment for major depressive disorder, or depression. We’ll explain why treatment is so important, and when you know it’s time to seek it out.
Why is it important that you seek help for your depression?
Seeking help with your depression is always a good idea. Here are some reasons why treatment is so important:
- To prevent depression from worsening — It’s a good idea to seek treatment for your depression, no matter how mild or extreme you may believe it to be. Untreated depression can become worse with time, so even if you’ve just started noticing symptoms of depression, you should talk with a professional who can help.
- To improve your ability to perform daily activities — Another reason you should seek help for your depression symptoms is because it may improve how you perform daily activities. It may become easier to do routine tasks, like showering, brushing your teeth and going to work each day.
- To improve quality of life — Treatment for depression is capable of improving the quality of your life. If you haven’t started treatment for your symptoms, it’s worth beginning. If you’ve tried two or more trials of antidepressants as well as talk therapy without much success, treatment-resistant methods like TMS therapy and Spravato may be able to help improve your quality of life.
What are some signs it’s time to seek help for your depression?
There are many signs that it’s time for you or your loved one to reach out to a professional for treatment. Some of these signs include:
- Changes in sleep patterns —One of the top signs that it’s time for you to consult with a professional about your depression is if you notice a significant shift in the hours of sleep you’re getting. Many people with depression notice that they either get more sleep or get significantly less sleep as a result of their condition. Those who get more sleep usually report feeling extreme fatigue, and those who get less sleep usually feel restless as a result of their depression.
- Changes in eating habits — Another sign that you should be seeking help for your depression is if you experience any major changes in the way you eat. For example, if you start to consume excessive amounts of food or if you stop feeling the need to eat as much as you normally do, these are warning signs. Depression can often affect eating habits. If you notice your eating habits shifting, don’t hesitate to seek treatment from a professional.
- Social isolation — Social isolation is a major sign of depression and is an indicator that treatment from a professional may prove beneficial. It’s common for people experiencing depression symptoms to feel as if they can’t relate to those around them or that their friends and family may not be able to understand what they’re going through. A person who isolates themselves from others may decline social events, avoid one-on-one time with another person, and may have little interest in leaving their bedroom or house. They may also be slow to respond to communication, like texts or calls.
- Little positive change after two trials of antidepressants — After going through at least two trials of antidepressants with little responsiveness, it’s time to consider treatments like TMS and Spravato. Treatment-resistant depression can be especially frustrating to deal with, but some treatments may be able to help you. Some of these include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy and esketamine (Spravato) treatments. To see if these treatments may work for you, you should seek the advice of a licensed mental health professional or medical provider.
Allow Active Path Mental Health to help your treatment-resistant depression
We know that treatment-resistant depression can lead to poor quality of life. This is especially true when your condition is resistant to traditional treatment methods. Depression can make you feel as if your symptoms are in control of your life. It can affect your daily functioning, interpersonal relationships and quality of life. We can help you to manage your symptoms and better your life. Let us be the ones to help.
Active Path Mental Health has multiple locations in both Oregon and Washington. The team members at each one of our locations are committed to helping patients experience positive changes in their mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression. But don’t just take it from us, take it from our patient reviews.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
