Today I am going to tell you a bit about myself, my practice and how to identify the symptoms of clinical depression. My name is Dr. Robert McMullen, and I’m a psychiatrist. I have been practicing for over 30 years. My primary focus is a treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and panic disorder. I did my residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital after I graduated from Georgetown Medical School.
Six years ago, I decided to add TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, to our available treatment options with dramatic success rates. We hope to show the medical world the immense benefits of TMS for patients who have not responded to other options and hope to encourage more people to seek treatment for their clinical depression symptoms.
Depression symptoms can be crippling.
Worse, if depression becomes severe enough, it can lead to suicide. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of depression before they become serious enough to be life-threatening. Here are the main symptoms of depression:
Worse, if depression becomes severe enough, it can lead to suicide. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of depression before they become serious enough to be life-threatening. Here are the main symptoms of depression:
- Sleep disturbances: A person with depression may be sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep. This can be either because they are waking up in the middle of the night or because they are waking up too early in the morning.
- FatigueDepressed people will often be tired. This is not just doe to the sleep disturbances, but also stress hormones and chemical imbalances in their neurotransmitters.
- Decreased interest in food: Patients often report that their food no longer tastes good. They may begin to lose large amounts of weight and even progress to severe anorexia. Of course, eating disorders can approach the other end of the spectrum as well.
- Over-eating or carbohydrate cravings: Overeating can also be caused by depression. A depressed person may seek excess carbohydrates to try to gain the little boost that a sugar high can provide. This can lead to binge eating and dangerous weight gain.
- Lack of motivation: This lack of motivation doesn’t just apply to work. It also causes a lack of desire to do things that one used to enjoy. Victims of depression may no longer wish to go out with friends or engage in hobbies that they used to enjoy.
- Excessive feelings of guilt: Everyone feels guilty sometimes. It’s normal to have a conscience, and we all make mistakes. This becomes a symptom of depression if a person dwells on it too much or feels guilty for things that they have no control over.
- Feelings of unworthiness: All of these symptoms can lead to feelings of unworthiness. The patient may feel that they no longer deserve to live or that their loved ones would be better off without them. Of course, this is never true.
If depression becomes much worse than this or lasts for more than a few days, especially if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideations, this is a medical emergency. Don’t take these thoughts lightly. 90% of those who commit suicide suffer from clinical depression or another serious psychological disorder. You or your loved one should seek medical help immediately.
When Depression Isn’t as Severe
Many patients are experiencing the symptoms of depression, but don’t feel depressed. For lack of a better word, the medical community still calls this depression, but the symptoms may not be as severe. A more appropriate phrase might be subclinical depression. They may simply be pessimistic or have low self-esteem or locus of control. Prozac has often been used to treat these mild symptoms because it doesn’t have as many side effects as other antidepressant medications.
Psychotherapy Is Ideally, the First Line of Treatment A therapist who specializes in treating depression can have fantastic success rates with cognitive behavioral therapy. This works by teaching the patient to change how they think about the situations that cause their negative thoughts. Patients also learn to change their behavior and habits to reinforce their positive new way of thinking. Adding a vigorous exercise routine and healthy dietary changes can help dramatically as well. If the depression has been going on for a much longer time, even if it hasn’t been severe, it’s a good idea to contact a psychiatrist as well because you will probably need medication or TMS to fully reverse the symptoms and reach full recovery.
If your psychiatrist does decide to add antidepressants to your treatment plan, do not simply stop taking them when you feel better. This can be dangerous because most medications need to be weaned off gradually. Stopping medications suddenly can lead to dangerous fluctuations in brain chemistry or a sudden relapse or worsening of symptoms. Finally, be sure not to ignore your other medical problems. Make your regular doctor or internist an active part of your treatment plan. Chronic illnesses such as hypertension, arthritis or diabetes will add to the symptoms of depression if not properly treated. Patients are more likely to recover both their bodies and minds are functioning at their best. Watch this video to learn more about the types of depression, the symptoms of depression, and hear about some of our more interesting successful treatment plans, or call us today.
