Living With Depression: Exploring Options for Living Your Best Possible Life

This article is for people who have depression or anyone who wants to learn more about depression. The goal of this patient education activity is to help patients with depression prepare to have a conversation with their doctor about their depression.

You will learn:

• Why talking honestly with your doctor is important

• What the physical and emotional symptoms of depression are

• Which treatments can help with depression

• What side effects can occur from medicines taken for depression

• What you can do to help manage your depression

• Questions to ask your doctor

It is very important to talk honestly with your doctor about how you feel mentally and physically. These conversations will help your doctor create a treatment plan that you can stick to and will help you feel better.

They will help your doctor recognize if treatment is working or not, so it can be changed to something else more appropriate for you.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have had previous depression or received treatment for depression in the past.

There are many symptoms of depression that can affect the way you think, how you feel, and how you behave.

Most people know that depression affects the way they feel, also known as mental health. But depression can have physical symptoms, too.

Conversation Starter: What kinds of symptoms does depression have?

Some people may be surprised that physical symptoms can be part of depression. Physical symptoms include:

• Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down"

• Changes in appetite

• Changes in sleeping patterns

• Physical aches and pains, including headaches

• Lack of interest in sex

If you have a chronic condition that causes pain, the pain may get worse with depression. Make sure your doctor knows about your medical history.

Conversation Starter: What are the physical symptoms of depression?

There are many emotional symptoms of depression. These include:

• Ongoing sad or anxious mood

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or helpless

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

• Difficulty with mental tasks, including lowered concentration or memory, or decision-making ability

• Outbursts of anger or irritation, even in minor situations

• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Conversation Starter: What are the emotional symptoms of depression?

Depression can be treated in many ways. Since people experience depression differently and may have other medical conditions, no 2 people with depression will be treated exactly the same.

Talk therapy (also called psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy) can help with depression. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you sort through what you are feeling.

Your doctor may prescribe 1 or more medicines to treat your emotional and/or physical symptoms.

Conversation Starter: What kinds of treatments can help with depression?

There are many medicines available to treat the symptoms of depression:

• Antidepressants: help to reduce symptoms of depression and improve irregular sleeping patterns, and may reduce physical pain

• Mood stabilizers: help balance "highs" and "lows" to maintain a steady mood

• Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety): help reduce anxiety

If your medicine doesn't seem to be working, your doctor may add another medicine or change your treatment altogether. Once your symptoms are gone, your doctor may recommend long-term treatment to help prevent them from coming back.

Conversation Starter: What medicines can help with depression?

Yes. Different medicines have different side effects:

• Antidepressants may cause: dry mouth, weight gain, nausea, constipation, blurred vision, and reduced sex drive

• Mood stabilizers may cause: nausea, weight gain, and fatigue

• Anxiolytics may cause: drowsiness, dizziness, and lowered blood pressure

Let your doctor know about any symptoms you are having, and when you started having them.

Never stop taking an antidepressant without first talking with your doctor. It could cause your symptoms to get worse.

Conversation Starter: What side effects do some of the medicines used to treat depression have?

Yes. First of all, you should always seek treatment at the earliest sign of a problem so you can work with your doctor to prevent depression from getting worse.

There are ways you can manage your depression in addition to medicines or talk therapy. What you do physically and mentally throughout the day can have a big impact on how you are feeling.

Conversation Starter: Is there anything I can do that will help me feel better?

Take care of your body through regular physical activity, healthy meals, and a regular sleep schedule.

Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. Even though they may provide a temporary "boost," they can make depression worse long-term.

Talking honestly with your partner about any sexual difficulties you are having can help you reconnect.

Conversation Starter: Is there anything I can do that will help me feel better physically?

Take care of your mental health by simplifying your routine, meditating, and journaling. Sometimes writing about how you are feeling can help.

Avoid making big decisions when you are feeling low.

Spend time with family and friends, as cutting yourself off socially can make feelings of isolation worse.

Conversation Starter: Is there anything I can do that will help me feel better mentally?

To make sure you get the best care to treat your depression, here are some questions you can ask your doctor:

• What kinds of symptoms does depression have?

• What are the physical symptoms of depression?

• What are the emotional symptoms of depression?

• What kinds of treatments can help with depression?

• What medicines can help with depression?

• Do any of the medicines have side effects?

• Is there anything I can do that will help me feel better physically?

• Is there anything I can do that will help me feel better mentally?

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed the program: Living With Depression: Exploring Options for Living Your Best Possible Life