Depression

Clinical depression, is a medical condition that causes extreme feelings of sadness and emptiness. People who suffer from depression may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed and experience a constant feeling of hopelessness on a daily basis. Depression, also known as clinical or major depressive disorder, may be triggered by certain events or occur along with other illnesses. Severe depression can interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, eat, interact with others or enjoy life.

The exact cause of depression is unknown. Depression can sometimes be triggered by a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, emotional or financial stress, or childhood trauma. Other factors that may contribute to depression include:

• Hormonal changes
• Heredity
• Chemical imbalances or changes within the brain

The use of certain medications such as steroids, or alcohol or drug abuse may contribute to the onset of depression. Patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer or other long-term conditions may also develop depression.

While most people may feel sad or down every once in a while, clinical depression affects the lives of those afflicted on a daily basis. Some of the things you might experience if you have depression include;

• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Crying Spells
• Trouble Sleeping
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Irritability
• Changes in Appetite
• Fatigue or Lack of Energy / Motativation
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Suicidal thoughts

Depression is a serious condition that can severely affect individuals and their families. Left untreated, depression may lead to anxiety, isolation, difficulties at work or school, alcohol or substance abuse, and in extreme cases, suicide.

Diagnosing Depression: To diagnose depression, Dr. Singareddy and his team will conduct a full physical examination and a review of all symptoms. Blood and urine tests may also be performed to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to the depression. This may involve you going to a laboratory in the Greater Atlanta area to get these tests done. A full psychological evaluation is also performed to make a proper diagnosis and create a treatment plan.

• #1 Reason people seek out mental health services
• Affects over 18 million adults in the US any given year
• Is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44 worldwide
• Affects over 300 million people worldwide, regardless of culture, age, gender, religion, race or economic status

Depression is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Antidepressants help to alter the brain chemistry to improve mood. Psychotherapy, in the form of therapy or counseling, aims to treat depression by by teaching the individual new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to the depression.

Individuals with severe depression that does not respond to a medication or therapy, may benefit from more comprehensive treatment approach which might include combination of medication or augmentation pharmaceutical modalities. The combination method include using medications from two different class of antidepressants. Augmentation strategies include use of certain medications (e.g., Lithium, Thyroid, etc.) to boost the effects of traditional antidepressants. Other FDA-approved treatment modalities to treat depression not responding to common antidepressants and or therapy include TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and nasal Es-Ketamine. In severe cases of depression not responding to these treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an option. ECT is administered under anesthesia and is administered in a hospital setting. ECT may result in some short or long-term memory loss.

In extreme cases, hospitalization may be temporarily necessary if the patient cannot properly care for themselves or if they are in danger of harming themselves or others.

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