Feeling Depressed? You Are Not Alone!
More than 17 million American adults suffer from depression in a given year. If you were to ask all 17 million of them – each and everyone – why they feel depressed, you’re likely going to get 17 million different answers.
Some of them might not even know why they feel depressed. Depression will do that to you. It can seemingly come out of nowhere, giving us no real indication of what it wants or how long it intends to stay.
That being said, there are some basic biological and environmental factors that play into the development of depression that may be able to help you find some clarity.
Why Do I Feel Depressed?
For some people, it just comes down to biological differences. We know that depression can physically alter and change the structure of the brain itself, for instance. We still need to research exactly what this entails before we can use this to treat depression.
Another possible factor is the role of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that play an important role in mental health conditions like depression. Some depression treatments target specific neurotransmitters in the brain in an attempt to relieve symptoms.
Depression may also be triggered by changes in the body’s natural balance of hormones. This could be due to pregnancy, menopause, thyroid problems, or a number of other factors.
A big factor when it comes to the development of depression is genetics. Those of us with a blood relative who has a history of depression (or other mental health conditions) are much more likely to develop one of our own.
There are also a number of potential risk factors for depression, such as the following:
- Low self-esteem
- Low levels of independence
- High self-critical thinking
- Exposure to traumatic or stressful events
- A personal history of other mental health disorders
- Substance abuse
- Serious or chronic health conditions
What Are The Symptoms Of Depression?
- Sadness
- Emotional hollowness or emptiness
- Tearful bouts
- Irritability and frustration
- Angry outbursts
- Disturbances in sleep patterns (either sleeping too little or too much)
- Changes in appetite (and subsequent weight loss or weight gain)
- Restless or anxiety
- Agitation
- Slowed thinking and movement
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Overanalyzing past failures
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Unexplained aches and pains
How Can Depression Be Treated?
The future of depression treatment has never looked brighter thanks to the advent of new treatments like ketamine infusions, as well as the standard treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy.
Ketamine Treatment For Depression
Ketamine began as a powerful anesthetic and pain reliever but is now being used to treat mood disorders and mental health conditions such as depression. Ketamine research in the last two decades may indicate that ketamine is the start of a bright new age of mental health treatment.
Medications For Depression Treatment
The traditional means of treating depression has been the prescription of antidepressant medications. This includes SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical antidepressants.
Can Ketamine Help With Your Depression?
If you suffering from depression, and have not had any success with other treatment methods or medications then ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression might be a viable treatment option for you.