Treatment for Depression— Know When You Need Help
Ordinary life can be depressing at times. But when depression overshadows life, neither is ordinary anymore. Depression that lasts more than a few weeks or seriously hampers the ability to cope with everyday life is called clinical depression. It is an illness, not an attitude.
People readily accept that chronic physical conditions have a negative effect on a person’s overall health. Depression, on the other hand, typically is not thought to have the same effect. Because it does not always cause obvious physical symptoms, as asthma and diabetes do, people do not recognize depression as a true illness. This is one reason why it often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
A new study reported in the journal Lancet says that depression does indeed affect physical well-being—and in a big way. In fact, it may be the most disabling disease in the world. And that’s why, researchers say, diagnosing and treating depression can go a long way toward helping people live healthier, more productive lives.
At Fort HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Center, a trained behavioral health professional can assess patients for this illness, which can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Imbalances in brain chemistry
- Stress
- Physical problems
- Disease
- Medications
- Heredity
A number of antidepressant medications are effective and nonaddictive. They restore balance to brain chemistry. And they don’t use tranquilizers or other potentially habit-forming drugs.
For many, the best treatment course combines medication with psychotherapy or counseling. The medication eases symptoms and restores everyday functioning. The talk therapy helps resolve other factors that can contribute to depression.
When Should You Seek Help?
If any of these symptoms are persistent or interfere with normal behavior or activities, consult a doctor:- Chronic low mood or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in friends, family, hobbies, work or sex
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Self-blaming for past events
- Difficulty concentrating
- Food cravings or loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight change
- Changes in sexual desire
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Excessive crying or feeling weepy
- Feeling worse in the morning
- Nagging anxiety or irritability
- Chronic physical pain
Our Behavioral Health Center can Help
Depression can seem overwhelming. But taking the small step to seek professional help can be a giant step toward recovery. Fort HealthCare Behavioral Health Center offers a comprehensive outpatient program of assessment, psychotherapy, counseling and medication management, including individual, group or family therapy to help you or your loved ones overcome physical and emotional problems. Contact a behavioral health professional at one of four convenient locations:509 McMillen St., Fort Atkinson,
1461 West Main St., Whitewater,
400 Doctors Court, Johnson
Creek,
402 Gammon Place, Suite 380,
Madison,
Fort Healthcare Behavioral Health
Fort HealthCare Behavioral Health Center offers full-service mental healthcare including psychiatry, psychology, therapy, alcohol and other drug treatment, couple and family therapy, parenting training and support groups.Counseling Groups
- Adolescent Group
- Social Skills Group
- Postpartum Depression Group
- Anger Management Group
- Depression Management
- Intensive Outpatient Therapy
- Recovery Support Group
Fort HealthCare Behavioral Health Center
509 McMillen Street
Fort Atkinson
On the Web, go to www.FortHealthCare.com and click on “Services.”
