With the holidays approaching, depression and anxiety come to the fore for many people. Stresses relating to social gatherings, travel, entertaining, and financial stress can trigger depression or make existing depression worse. For some people with depression, it follows a seasonal pattern. In most of the cases, the episodes begin in the fall or the winter and remit in the spring.
Major Depressive Disorder is a Serious Condition that Deserves Medical Attention
One severe form of depression, major depressive disorder (MDD), not only has the potential to cause disability, but it also has a high rate of recurrence. Seeking treatment for MDD can be tricky, due to the fact that most people visit a primary care physician as opposed to a psychiatrist. In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health estimated that over 7% of adults in the US had at least one major depressive episode.
Major depression episodes that occur in a seasonal pattern are often characterized by overeating (especially carbohydrates), sleeping more than usual, weight-gain, but still maintaining energy throughout the day.
Symptoms to Watch Out for If You Feel You May be Experiencing MDD
We don’t encourage self-diagnosis but it’s very important to be self-aware and seek help when you suspect your mental health is unwell. There are a number of behavioral characteristics that are present that may be indicative of having MDD. Symptoms to watch out for include a depressed mood most or all of the time, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, the onset of phobias, rumination, excessive concern over physical health.
Choosing a Treatment Option That’s Right for You
Choosing a treatment option can be overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider: severity of the depression being experienced, lifestyle, demographics and physical health. Gelhorn, et. al. surveyed peer reviewed literature to determine how patient preferences affect treatment outcomes for depression disorders. For practitioners, it is important to take into account patient preference for treatment along with a clinical evaluation.
Many patients find healing using first-line treatment options including antidepressants, psychotherapy, and cognitive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Certain studies have analyzed the efficacy of antidepressants along with non-drug treatment options. Second-generation antidepressant medications have also been shown to produce positive treatment response. We typically find that counseling combined with an anti-depressant medication works best.
Symptoms to Watch Out for If You Feel You May be Experiencing MDD
We don’t encourage self-diagnosis but it’s very important to be self-aware and seek help when you suspect your mental health is unwell. There are a number of behavioral characteristics that are present that may be indicative of having MDD. Symptoms to watch out for include a depressed mood most or all of the time, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, the onset of phobias, rumination, excessive concern over physical health.
Choosing a Treatment Option That’s Right for You
Choosing a treatment option can be overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider: severity of the depression being experienced, lifestyle, demographics and physical health. Gelhorn, et. al. surveyed peer reviewed literature to determine how patient preferences affect treatment outcomes for depression disorders. For practitioners, it is important to take into account patient preference for treatment along with a clinical evaluation.
Many patients find healing using first-line treatment options including antidepressants, psychotherapy, and cognitive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Certain studies have analyzed the efficacy of antidepressants along with non-drug treatment options. Second-generation antidepressant medications have also been shown to produce positive treatment response. We typically find that counseling combined with an anti-depressant medication works best.
