How can you get help for clinical depression?
A good first step is to talk to your doctor or to a qualified mental health professional. You also may be able to get help through your company’s employee assistance program (EAP), a pastoral counselor, guidance counselor or local mental health association. Since people with clinical depression often do not have the motivation or energy to seek treatment for themselves, it is often necessary for friends and family to help them seek treatment.Treatment options
The most commonly used treatments for clinical depression are antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.Medication
The symptoms of depression are caused by imbalances in chemicals in the brain and other parts of the body that influence things like mood, sleep, and how much energy we have. Antidepressant medications correct these imbalances. The two most common types are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil. While antidepressant medications have been shown to be extremely effective, many can cause side effects, some of which are temporary. Since different medications affect individuals differently, you and your doctor may need to try more than one before you find the right one or combination.Psychotherapy
For some cases of depression, talking with a trained mental health professional can help teach people how to better handle problems, change negative styles of thinking, and how to change relationships that can cause or worsen clinical depression. Short-term therapy that lasts just 10-20 weeks often is all it takes.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/)
