Many people accept depression as natural or even earned. But everyone deserves full access to their rich potential, which is why treating depression first starts with acknowledgement. Once acknowledged, the next step is searching out proper care for ailing self and loved ones.
Careful diagnostics are necessary to identify the specific type of depression and what factors underlie it. Diagnosis drives treatment. We need root cause insight into why one is depressed. Then a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan can be developed regardless of the cause, because there is always something constructive to be done to help.
In the case of major depression, medical assessment, psychodynamic interview, exploration of mental health history, and detailed psychiatric categorization combine to reveal sophisticated diagnostic conclusions. A thorough workup is productive. And a comprehensive treatment plan maximizes the likelihood for an optimal outcome.
Orthodox, functional and holistic medical interventions often make a huge difference. Direct manipulation of brain chemistry by medicines – natural or synthetic or nutraceutical – can be profound. Various psychotherapeutic interventions can bring sizeable reward. A major facet of an inclusive strategy for managing depression is self-help and the nurturing of self-perception that emphasizes patient empowerment and health over passivity, powerlessness/valuelessness, and sick role. Healthy lifestyle also plays a key part in supporting optimal mental health. And an enriching doctor-patient relationship is a virtual prerequisite to push patient health forward.
Many Depressions, Many Treatments
There is depression like, “These hapless New York Knicks depress me.” And there is depression like “I am ill, with overall dysfunction, and with loss of interest in things.” This kind of depression can come wIth sadness, plus hopelesssness and worthlessness, with lethargy and apathy. It can even come with changes in eating and sleeping or with suicidal thinking. Same word, two very different entities. Different causes.
Depression can have many different root causes. Once we determine the root cause, the treatment can be targeted and personalized. Underlying causes include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Various metabolic, neurological, immunological inflammatory and infectious diseases cause depression.
- Substance abuse is a prime culprit for depressive outcomes.
- Traumas, catastrophes and maladaptations will fuel depressive reactions.
- Environmental and interpersonal “toxins” feed depression.
- Certain Psychodynamic and personality features tilt one towards mood problems.
- A biochemical predisposition to depression will result in episodic, seasonal, and chronic depressive states.
Here’s the Great News: Depression Can Be Reversed
Sufferers with major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder (chronic depression) alone represent the second most costly disease on planet Earth and number roughly one in seven of us! All forms of depression ruin lives and can be reversed. Major depression alone is a devastating illness but it is amenable to improvement. Nothing works better than a comprehensive, integrative, game plan. Let’s make one for you.