Women and Depression
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, according to research from the National Center for Health Statistics. This increased prevalence of depression among women may be due to hormonal changes prior to menstruation, following pregnancy, and during perimenopause, as well as a greater tendency among women to internalize stress, according to research published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience.
While it’s natural for everyone to feel sad at times, clinical or major depression causes those feelings of sadness to last for more than two weeks—and sometimes for months or longer—and can have debilitating effects on a person’s life. In most cases, depression is treatable, but many people don’t get the help they need. If you think you may suffer from depression, it’s important to learn more about the condition and figure out how to get help to get on the road to feeling better.
Symptoms of Depression
Feelings of sadness come and go for all people, but people suffering with depression will have symptoms that occur most of the day and nearly every day, according to the Mayo Clinic. Those symptoms may include feelings of sadness, tearfulness or hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Most people with depression also experience changes in appetite (either eating too much or too little) and changes in sleep patterns (either insomnia or sleeping too much).
Depression may also include symptoms that don’t necessarily look like sadness, such as angry outbursts and irritability, difficulty thinking and concentrating, and unexplained physical problems such as headaches or back pain. People with depression may also have frequent thoughts about death or contemplate suicide.
How to Treat Depression
If you think you may be depressed, focus on healthy activities such as getting daily exercise, even though you may not feel like it. Also, work towards getting proper sleep and nutrition. These activities are important for helping you return to a healthier state of mind and preventing future episodes of depression.
However, most people who have major depression also need medical treatment in order to recover. Treatments may include antidepressant medications, talk therapy or a combination of both. There are a number of different types of medications available to treat depression, and the one that may work best for you will depend on your family history and other medical conditions. You may need to try several medications or a combination of medications in order to find the one that works best for you. This process requires patience, but a qualified healthcare provider can help you throughout that journey to better health and happier times.
Crimson Care, with multiple locations in Tuscaloosa, is capable of providing compassionate care for your family. If you’re suffering from feelings of depression that have lasted two weeks or longer, Crimson Care Skyland can help bridge you to the proper care you will need. As an Urgent Mental Health Center, we strive to help you in the best way we possibly can. For Urgent Mental Health Care we are available Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 7:00PM, for Counseling and Consulting, appointments can be made for Tuesdays 9:00AM - 2:00PM, please call (205) 507-1119. For our information hotline, call (205) 601-6195
Find Relief from Depression with Crimson Care in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty -- along with his entire Crimson Care team -- is committed to making medical services convenient and accessible. The clinic offers three Tuscaloosa locations: Crimson Care Skyland, Veterans Memorial and First Care on McFarland. All locations offer extended weekday hours and one-stop treatment services including medical care, x-rays, lab work, and prescription dispensing. Crimson Care also offers digital access through its online patient portal. Request prescription refills, complete any necessary patient forms online, review your medical records at any time, and even pay your bill. Check us out today on our website, or give us a call today at Crimson Care Veterans: (205) 507-1100, Crimson Care Skyland: (205) 507-1119, or First Care: (205) 349-2323.