Depression is far more than just being sad and it’s estimated that 1 in 15 people will experience it. While depression may only last for a set period for some, it can be a chronic condition in others. In that case, it’s known as a major depressive disorder. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with the former issue or a chronic condition, it’s important to know what to expect. These are a few of the changes you might have to make to your life when living with depression.
1. Your Assessments Will Continue
To be diagnosed with depression often requires a thorough physical examination, a lengthy discussion, and lab tests. However, an official diagnosis doesn’t mean that your doctor won’t continue to assess what’s going on with you. That’s because there are different forms of depression and the treatment plan can vary for each.
For example, while disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is characterized by temper outbursts, people with persistent depressive disorder are known to have prolonged periods of depression each day.
2. There’ll Be A Medical Regimen
Finding the right medication to treat your depression will be an essential part of your program. When prescribing an antidepressant, your doctor will need to know what other medications you may be taking as well as what kind of side effects you can tolerate.
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It’s important to note that these drugs may take up to two months to become fully effective so keep talking to your doctor if you haven’t seen any improvements at all during that time. It’s not unusual to need to change your medication over time.
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3. Therapy Will Be Helpful
While your medication is important, psychotherapy will play an important role as well.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), in particular, has been shown to be helpful for helping people recognize their negative thoughts and move forward from them. These sessions can make it easier to maintain your relationships and cope in a regular work environment.
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4. You Can Have More Than One Type Of Depression
If your health status changes, it’s possible for you to develop a different type of depression. For example, it’s not uncommon for
