Depression is a debilitating condition that often leaves the sufferer isolated and scared. The confusion they feel coupled with the lack of focus or direction means people suffering with depression often have trouble completing simple tasks or even leaving the house.

This affects not only the person afflicted, but also influences the moods and emotions of everyone else in the household. Children are often left to fend for themselves and the spouse of a depressed person can also feel isolated and helpless. This is particularly true when the activities that were once enjoyed no longer appeal to the sufferer.

There are many theories as to what triggers depression, but the general consensus is that there is a genetic component to most depression that can be prompted by environmental or emotional influences. A person’s upbringing can play a large role with unresolved childhood trauma playing a significant part in the development of depression and other emotional disorders. Depression can often lead to addictive or self-destructive behaviors that can escalate the need for treatment.

Unfortunately, depression often goes hand in hand with other emotional disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and various phobias. In many cases, it’s difficult to determine which condition is the primary problem. Many with OCD or anxiety become depressed because of the limiting nature of the disorder. However, there are just as many that become depressed and develop other emotional issues later. Treatment for these patients can become complex, as each disorder must be treated individually for the sufferer to find relief. When depression is coupled with these other conditions, the patient can become even more isolated and misunderstood. The repetitive behaviors of OCD become all consuming and difficult to overcome and phobias are rarely overcome without exposure to the very thing that frightens the patient the most.

Today, there are many medications available to treat the physical aspects of depression while the emotional aspects of the disease are worked through with therapy. SSRI’s are the most common and although they are effective, many find the side effects to be troublesome. As a result, pharmaceutical companies are attempting to produce medications that relieve the symptoms of depression without the side effects. In times past, some treatments used to treat depression were barbaric by today’s standards, but surprisingly, shock therapy is still used in the treatment of severe cases of depression. Today, most therapists agree that the use of modern medication and therapy is the best course of treatment. Recognizing depression is often the first step in healing and those who suffer often don’t realize they are depressed.

For those suffering from depression, treatment is the best course of action to get their lives back on track and to resume being an active part of society. Treatment for depression has made large advancements in recent years and most patients can expect to see relief within a couple of weeks of beginning treatment. One point that most health care providers agree on is that depression can be successfully treated and it shouldn’t be ignored. If a patient doesn’t see relief from one medication they are encouraged to try another until their life returns to normal and they can begin feeling normal again.

Author Bio: If you, or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms of depression, please know that there is help available. For more information about depression please visit: depressionsymptomsinfo.org

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: depression, depression symptoms, symptoms of depression