Depression
is a mental health condition that affects many people around the
world. It has many causes including; illnesses, genetic
abnormalities, age, trauma, substance abuse, and stress among others.
Individuals suffering from depression have been found to have a
smaller hippocampus. This is the area of the brain that stores
memories and contains serotonin receptors. Serotonin is one of the
‘feel good hormones’ responsible for the regulation of mood,
appetite, sleep, and sexual desire. With a smaller hippocampus, you
have fewer receptors and thus, less serotonin which leads to
dysregulation of mood, sexual desire, sleep, and appetite. To treat
depression effectively, some of the things to consider include:
Clinic
Depression
is a serious illness that needs to be clinically diagnosed. When
choosing where to go for treatment, it is important to fully evaluate
the situation. Do you need a specialized clinic or a general
facility? This depends on the cause of your depression. If it is a
side effect of an underlying issue such as a chronic illness, your
general practitioner can put you in touch with a mental health
professional. They can work hand in hand to find the best treatment
plan for you. If not, a visit to a certified mental health
professional can help you get your footing. The clinic you choose
should be licensed and the staff should be board-certified
professionals.
Treatment
program
Depending
on the cause of your depression, you and the doctor can come up with
a treatment program that works for you. It is important to consider
if you are willing to try new forms of treatment available such as
Ketamine infusion therapy for depression. This is mostly
prescribed for anti-depressant-resistant depression. You should be
able to access the options available before you make up your mind.
Other treatments besides ketamine therapy and antidepressants
include; electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic
stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and antianxiety medication.
Multifaceted
approach
Other
than medications such as Ketamine
infusion therapy for depression
and the clinical treatment methods, you may need to consider a
holistic approach. Since depression affects many areas of your life,
getting them in order may make you feel better. This can be done
through activities that stimulate the reward centers in your brain
and release endorphins. You can start by laying down a routine for
your daily activities. This will get you out of bed and get you
moving. Exercise and good sleep can contribute to making you feel
better about yourself. You can also talk to your doctor about getting
some supplements such as fish oil and folic acid which have been
shown to improve brain activity. Trying something new with your
friends can also give you a sense of accomplishment on a bad day.