Depression Treatment: The Path to a Healthier Life

“I’ll snap out of it over time.”

“Anti-depressants might harm my health.”

“It’s not like I feel depressed 24/7; so why should I take a depression treatment?”

“I feel embarrassed talking about it.”

“I’m afraid of talking about painful subjects in therapy.”

Has such a bug been lingering on your mind lately?

If yes, let me tell you- depression IS a serious illness. And it affects both mental and physical conditions. If you’re neglecting depression treatment for such lame excuses, you’re harming nobody but yourself. The WHO ranks depression as one of the topmost disabling diseases, which, if treated clinically, can improve the condition 70% of people struggling with it, often within just a matter of a few weeks.

Remember, depression is a severe mental illness that gradually takes a toll on your physical health and potential too; but it can be treated. A study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness states that:

• Nearly 2.4 million Americans (or, 1.1% of the adult population) live with Schizophrenia.
• Approximately 5.7 million Americans (or, 2.6% of the adult population) are affected by bipolar disorder every year.
• About 14.8 million Americans (or, 6.7% of the adult population) are affected by major depressive disorders, which is the leading cause of disability in the US and Canada, between ages 15-44.
• Approximately 40 million individuals (or, 18.7% of the adult population) are affected by anxiety disorders e.g., panic disorders, OCD, PTSD, phobias, and many more. These are often correlated with addiction-based anxiety, too.
• Nearly 5.2 million adults, particularly 31% of the ones using homeless services, reported co-occurring mental and addiction disorders.

However, adults living with serious mental illnesses are at a greater risk of having chronic medical conditions. Also, if left untreated, such persons will die 25 years earlier, compared to the normal and healthy life cycle of other Americans.

Given such huge numbers, you might think that depression is closely correlated with suicidal acts, drug abuse and massive drops in productivity. You might go on further to imagine the drastic impacts of depression on our lives, which should be a collective responsibility of friends, family and society. The reality, howsoever, is quite ironic.

Hence, it is highly recommendable to try and overcome the depressive patterns you (or perhaps someone you know) is experiencing, with the help of some expert advice, in order to visit the clinic for depression treatment:

• Depression has mostly been linked to heart disease, followed by metabolic issues (e.g., obesity and diabetes), Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, too. If left untreated, it can affect more than just the mind, and lead to severe health conditions as well.
• If you fear having to take anti-depressants, let me tell you that depression treatment doesn’t necessarily involve medication. Effective methods employed by good psychotherapists often include talk therapy, speaker-listener technique and alpha waves sleep technique to treat mental health disorders. And even if your doctor prescribes an anti-depressant, you won’t need to take it all your life! Also, individuals react differently to them, so you need not rely on stories you’ve heard.
• Fatigue, muscle pain, loss of interest from things you previously loved, or simply just not feeling like your usual self- all these can be signs of depression, too, even if you don’t actually feel upset all day long. Such symptoms fall under the category of “masked depression”.
• If you, somehow, feel uncomfortable talking about it, find a therapist who best suits your needs. In other words, someone who is compatible. Check if your health insurance covers mental health, too. If it doesn’t, then start by checking out mental health service providers in your community. Ask as many questions as you are asked, and take an informed decision on how much you want to reveal- depending on your comfort level with your therapist.

Dr. Datta, MD, psychiatry, is a renowned for his depression treatment in NYC, who undergoes psychoanalysis with each of his experience, and allows himself to see through your eyes and walk in your shoes in order to provide you the best objective feedback possible. He is also a top family and couples therapist in NYC. You can call it a miracle, but it’s true- life goes on, whatever your current situation is. And this psychotherapist teaches you exactly that- how you should adapt to all such small and big situations.

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