Identifying the Symptoms of Depression and Knowing when to Seek Help

posted: Nov. 01, 2023
Syeda Sultana, M.D.

Hi there,

We are discussing depression today. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. It can affect anyone at almost any age. We continue to see a rise in the number of cases at our office.

There are several factors that can contribute to depression: genetics, brain chemistry, certain medical conditions, substance use, stress, and poor nutrition. It is important for all physicians to identify the risk factors as well as the symptoms and signs of depression to be able to start early treatment for our patients.

To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

When to refer a patient or someone you know with depression to a Psychiatrist for Treatment and care:

If the patient's depression affects their ability to function and cope in their day-to-day activities, psychiatric help is the best option for the individual. If a person has any of the following, it is important for them to seek mental health evaluation:

Suicidal thoughts or attempts: Depression can often lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. When this occurs, the patient must be referred to a psychiatrist or mental health professional. This is a serious matter and needs immediate attention and evaluation.

Out-of-Control addiction: Drugs and alcohol abuse are very common in people with depression and other mental disorders. However, people can also become addicted to gambling, pornography, and other self-destructive activities. The condition could prevent the patient from maintaining normal relationships or holding a job. In these cases, we need to recommend a psychiatrist for our patients.

Addictions can lead to destructive behaviors. Doctors can learn about any addiction problems through a wellness exam, social history, or even a random blood test.

Benefits of seeing a Psychiatrist for people with depression:

Patients can mask their mental illness and addiction problems very well. They often feel like their problem is too small to seek medical attention. Our duty as medical professionals is to identify these patients and ensure they receive the necessary treatment and care.

1. Seeing a psychiatrist can provide the patient with a secure place for sharing their true feelings and thoughts. Assure them that their psychiatrist is obliged to listen without judgment.

2. It is one way for the patient to control their fears and decrease their symptoms.

3. A psychiatrist would provide unbiased guidance and tailored treatment to best fit each individual patient's needs.

4. Regular sessions with their psychiatrist can strengthen one's self-image and help a person live a fulfilling and happy life.

A quick tip: No two people are affected the same way or share the same symptoms of depression, and the treatment often varies from person to person. Finding the treatment for depression that works best for you may take trial and error. Most people tend to give up if they do not see any improvements in their symptoms after using medication for a few days. You should be aware that you may need to try several different antidepressants before finding the one that works for you.

Your psychiatrist should let you know that you can begin to see improvements within 4 to 8 weeks of using antidepressant medications.

A person should never feel embarrassed to seek help for their mental illness.

Depression can cause us to lose days at work and school. People often find difficulty socializing and leading a normal life. There is professional help out there, find the right psychiatrist near you and get the help you need today.

If you or someone you know thinks they may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your local psychiatrist.

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Kind regards,

Dr. Syeda Sultana, M.D., and Team

Our mental resilience is an evolving system — constantly adapting to our circumstances and how we make use of our abilities. We thank you for your interest in our articles. And thank you for providing positive feedback about Dr. Sultana's services! We are pleased to see you are taking an interest in mental health and helping all of us.

We are located in Orlando, and we accept New patients all across the state of Florida ages 5-70 years old. We have Telehealth and In-Office appointments available.

The insurances we accept are as follows: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Medicare, United Healthcare, UMR, Beacon, Tricare, Sunshine, Humana, Simply Healthcare, etc.

posted: Nov. 01, 2023
Syeda Sultana, M.D.