Today, it’s common to put a lot of time and effort into creating a shiny and polished social media presence. But this kind of polish doesn’t leave a lot of room for real life challenges, like mental health issues. For people with depression and other mental health disorders, it can be difficult just to talk openly about their feelings and everyday experiences—and even more difficult to ask for help. But seeking help is an important step in finding relief and living a healthy, productive life. Here’s what you need to know:
What is depression?
Depression, or depressive disorder, is a serious mental health condition that affects a person’s mood, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Also called major depression, it often interferes with a person’s ability to experience or anticipate pleasure. Depression does not look the same in everyone, but there are some general symptoms associated with the disorder. They include:
- Loss of energy
- Lack of interest in activities
- Sleep changes
- Appetite changes
- Restlessness or irritability
- Feelings of anxiety
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Inappropriate guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
To be diagnosed with depressive disorder, a person must have an episode lasting more than two weeks. When left untreated, depression symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Where to seek help for depression
Depression is a serious mental illness. Symptoms can be constant or episodic. In either case, depression is unlikely to go away on its own. Without treatment, it can worsen over time, and episodes can last for years or even decades. When depression symptoms last more than two weeks, It’s important to reach out and seek help. But it’s also important to ask the right people. Those who don’t understand how depression works may make suggestions that are not only unhelpful but can actually trigger further guilt or feelings of inadequacy. Asking for help from the right sources is an important step in getting the treatment you need. Here’s where to start:
- Friends and family
Opening up to friends and family about how you’re feeling can be a big relief. When people know what you’re going through, it can give them a better idea of how to help you. It may be best to limit your conversations to those you feel most comfortable with and those who will be understanding.
- Your family doctor
General practitioners are a good resource for nearly all things health related. They are knowledgeable about many ailments, including those affecting mood and behavior. And they frequently refer their patients to all different kinds of specialists. Discussing your feelings with your family doctor is a great place to start when seeking help for depression.
- Mental health specialists
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists have specialized training that enables them to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including major depression. Ask friends and family for referrals, or do an internet search for nearby mental health specialists. Many offer free phone consultations so you can get a feel for their manner and what they offer before committing to an appointment. If it’s not the right fit, they will be able to refer to another practitioner.
- Depression clinical trial
Depression clinical trials can be a great step toward seeking help. Clinical trial participants receive care and careful monitoring from specialists committed to finding new depression treatments. Over the course of a study, you may be able to access new treatments that are many years from being available to the general public. These new treatment modalities may produce better results than other options do. Participating in a clinical trial also helps to combat feelings of helplessness and give patients a sense of taking a step forward.
The symptoms of depression often have a negative impact on a person’s life and relationships, but depression is treatable. Some people find relief with the first treatment they try. For others, it takes time to find an effective solution. The most important thing is to reach out and seek help. The sooner you do, the closer you’ll get to finding relief from your symptoms of depression.
Depression clinical trials in San Diego | Synergy Research Centers
At Synergy Research Centers, we’re currently enrolling participants in depression clinical studies. We begin with a short phone interview, during which we’ll ask questions about your battle with major depression, as well as more practical information about your travel accommodations, age, and medical history. Once we’ve determined your eligibility, we’ll invite you to come in to our facility in Lemon Grove and begin the study. During the depression trial, study participants will either be given a new depression treatment or a placebo. You’ll then communicate how you are feeling with our research team, and we’ll carefully monitor you every step of the way. Some of our depression studies also offer financial compensation for participation. For more information on our depression clinical study or any of our other clinical trials, give us a call at (888) 539-0282 or fill out our contact form today.