I've been feeling crummy for some years now but I'm not sure whether thats considered depressed. Do you also know how to get treatment for depression?
2007-12-09 13:21:12 · 6 answers · asked by Billa Bong 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
yes they can.. but they are not as specialized as a psychiatrist..
a family doctor will give you a prescription.. a psychiatrist will try to get to the bottom of your depression and give you what you need, maybe medication. therapy, or both..
so, i recommend seeing a psychiatrist and getting their opinion.. they may be able to suggest medications if needed or alternatives to medications if you would like.. and talk therapy is very beneficial.. the best thing about a therapist is that they don't know you.. therefore they don't have any personal opinions towards you.. so you get honest, unbiased help.. i'd really consider this.. you deserve to feel better..
one of the best depression/anxiety reliever i can recommend is exercise.. it takes your focus off what's bothering you and hey it's just good in general.. exercise also releases serotonin, dopamine and a few other nuerotransmitters in your brain.. serotonin helps you sleep and dopamine is related to pleasure and happiness.. those chemicals i just mentioned are the ones that your brain lacks when depressed.. exercise helps to balance them.. this has been clinically proven to work faster and longer than medication.. simply taking a twenty minute walk each day could really help..
exercise also releases endorphins.. the body's natural pain killers.. this is related to "runner's high"..
i understand you may not be motivated to do a lot.. so start off slow.. just walk for five minutes or so.. then add a minute or two each day and wor your way up..
other than exercise you could try deep breathing, muscle relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, listening to music, writing in a journal, or talking to a friend about it.. i also drink ungodly amounts of tea.. haha..
get a good social support network.. talk to a friend or family member about how you feel..
take time out for yourself each day.. to just reflect, relax, and settle your thoughts.. do things that relax you and that you enjoy..
warm milk also helps to produce serotonin.. so maybe drinking a glass before you go to sleep may help..
try to get at least an hour of sunlight each day.. this also helps to balance your brain chemistry and produces serotonin..
when you lie down to sleep, concentrate on your breathing.. just keep a steady inhale and exhale.. in through your nose and out through your mouth.. this will help to calm your heart rate and hopefully help you sleep..
eat a healthy diet.. and drink lots of water..
don't be hard on yourself.. try to make a list f things you love about youself.. if you feel that you cannot make the list, then have a friend or family member make it for you.. when you start to put yourself down or feel bad, pull the list out and read it.. remind yourself that you're special and deserve to feel as such..
i really hope this helps.. and best of luck
2007-12-09 14:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A family doctor can diagnose depressive disorders. Most will then refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker/counselor. If your doctor does not offer this, ask for the referral. Some will prescribe certain anti-depressants. Medications are only one piece of the treatment. Talking with a therapist (social worker/counselor) can help you find out why you feel the way you do and how to not feel that way anymore. Work is needed on your part, though. Change is a difficult thing, but the reward is usually worth the journey.
2007-12-09 14:50:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To an extent they can. Depression can be in many forms. It also could be something else entirely(I'm on Lexapro and Xanax actually for anxiety and panic). At first I thought it was depression until the attacks started. Treatment can vary for depression and you have to weigh the side effects of certain medications against the feelings you currently have. Your best bet is to talk with your doctor and the two of you make a decision. You're the only one who knows how you truly feel.
2007-12-09 13:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by Cody 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably are suffering from depression, since it's lasted so long. Your family doctor is fine to go to =)
Good luck!
2007-12-09 13:29:01 · answer #4 · answered by *DAMAGED --x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can. But they're not so good at figuring out what type of meds you need for it. They just aren't trained in it.
It's better to see a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist.
2007-12-09 14:03:12 · answer #5 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and treat it too.
2007-12-09 13:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by Susas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋