Procedure - Depression

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that can affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Depression often manifests as a persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Left untreated, it can adversely affect your eating and sleeping habits, as well as your relationships and your ability to work.

Symptoms

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms every day for at least 14 days, it is possible that you might be suffering from depression:

• Irritability
• Decreased energy
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
• Moving or talking more slowly
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of interest in activities
• Weight changes
• Having trouble sitting still
• Thoughts of suicide

Depression is unique to each individual – not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom.

Risk Factors

Research suggest that depression is caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and psychological factors. Factors that increase the risk of developing depression include:

• Blood relatives with a history of depression
• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Having low self-esteem
• Serious chronic illness, like heart disease or cancer
• Experiencing stressful or traumatic events

  Treatment

  If you’re suffering from symptoms of depression, please contact your primary care provider right away. Your provider will work together with you to help discover the most effective, personalized solution for your situation.

  Your Ogden Clinic healthcare provider will likely encourage you to make minor lifestyle changes, as appropriate. These might include taking steps to control stress, boost your self-esteem, or improve your relationships with family and friends.

  Beyond this, it is possible that your provider will recommend medication. Antidepressants often produce improvement within the first two weeks of use. However, full benefits may not be seen for two or three months. If you feel no improvement after several weeks, your provider will work with you to alter the dose or potentially substitute your medication.