Getting Help with Depression
Getting Help with Depression
Recognizing your symptoms of depression is just the first step. Getting help is key to learning to cope with your symptoms and beginning your road to recovery.
The American Psychiatric Association defines depression as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.
Fortunately, depression is treatable.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression
If you suspect that you or someone else is struggling with depression, it’s important to look out for these symptoms. Signs and symptoms of depression
- Feeling sad or having a negative outlook
- Outbursts of anger
- Feeling irritable
- Lose of interest in day to day activities or things that would normally bring you joy
- Increased fatigue or low energy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Nervousness, restlessness, or feeling anxious
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Poor cognitive function or trouble thinking, concentration, remembering, and making
decisions - Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-blame
- Major mood swings or uncontrollable emotions
- Physical problems such as headaches, stomach aches, or back pain
- Suicidal thoughts
Where to get help for depression
If you’re struggling with depression, you are not alone. Over 16 million American adults are affected by depression. There are many effective treatments to help you better cope with depression. Keep reading to learn more about where to get help for depression.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including depression. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
Psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests. They combine this medical knowledge with discussion with their patients to provide an overall picture of your mental and physical state.
Their training and education equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with family history to evaluate medical and psychological data to make a diagnosis and to help their patients develop a treatment plan that works for them.
Psychiatrists use a variety of treatments including psychotherapy, medications, and other treatments, depending on the individual needs of each patient. Psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy, involves you, the patient, talking to your therapist about how you feel and what you're going through. This allows your therapist to offer
coping mechanisms and find a treatment that works for you. The goal of psychotherapy is to eliminate or control your mental health symptoms. Treatment may take only a few sessions or many, depending on the needs of each person. In some cases, you may be described medications to treat your symptoms. After thorough evaluations, psychiatrists can prescribe medications to modulate chemical signaling and communication within the brain, reducing symptoms of psychiatric disorders. To find a psychiatrist, ask your doctor for a referral. You can also look online or in your community.
Clinical Psychologists
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional illnesses.
Clinical psychologists provide continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families. Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication to treat mental illness but rather use psychological techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychoanalytic therapy. In addition to psychotherapy, psychologists may perform psychological testing.
The biggest difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medications. Most psychologists are not medical doctors and typically can not prescribe medication. Your physician or primary care doctor can help connect you with a clinical psychologist in your area.
Social Worker
Clinically trained social workers are the leading group of mental health service providers in the United States.
Social workers are highly trained professionals working to improve the quality of life and
wellbeing of others through direct practice, crisis intervention, research, community organizing, policy change, advocacy, and educational programs. Social workers help people solve problems in their daily lives in a variety of ways, including
diagnosing and treating mental health concerns. They provide individual, family, and couples therapy, assisting with depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles.
Social workers can be found in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, government institutions, public welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations, and some private businesses - just to name a few!
Licensed mental health counselor
A licensed mental health counselor (L.M.H.C.) assesses and treats mental and emotional health disorders, relationship issues, and life challenges. Counselors utilize various methods of psychotherapy to develop meaningful behavioral changes and coping strategies to help you work through your symptoms of depression.
To find a licensed mental health counselor in your area, ask someone you trust, a reliable online database, or utilize your community resources.
Primary Care Physician
While you may not consider your primary care physician as a mental health professional, they are equipped to help you in more ways than treating the occasional cold or flu. Your primary care physician is trained to treat a wide range of mental health conditions and can prescribe a variety of psychiatric medications. Your primary care physician may also refer you to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist if they see fit.
How to help someone with depression get help
Asking for help is hard, which is why many people struggling with depression don’t seek out the assistance they need. If you recognize that someone you know is struggling with depression, it’s important to speak up, offer assistance, and help them get the help they need and deserve. Your support and encouragement can play an important role in their recovery.
It can be hard to find the right words to say when approaching someone about their mental health. Start the conversation by sharing your concern and compassionately pointing out the signs and symptoms that you’ve noticed. Ask questions and give the person plenty of space to share. Remember that they may be going through a very difficult and vulnerable time and may not be ready to open up just yet. Encourage them to get help and offer resources that may be beneficial for their recovery.
Remember, depression is not something to take lightly. Getting help is crucial for managing and improving symptoms of depression and overall wellbeing.
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