Minor Injuries: Seeking Treatment in a Timely Manner

It isn't uncommon for people to be sad at various points in their lives. However, when that sadness reaches an extreme point, lasts several days, and starts to negatively impact an individual's daily life, he or she may actually be suffering from depression. When this is the case, an individual should consider reaching out to a psychiatrist for an evaluation. These mental health professionals have a variety of ways in which they can assist depressed individuals. Here are three of them.

Changes in Lifestyles

One way that a psychiatrist can assist individuals who are suffering from depression is by taking a deeper look into their lifestyles and determining what changes can be made to help alleviate some of their depression symptoms. Some changes that may be suggested by a psychiatrist include a sleep schedule, regular exercise, and stress reduction techniques. Getting adequate shut-eye at night can assist the mind and body in rebuilding and resetting, while exercise can offer an outlet for an individual to deal with any negative emotions he or she may have. Stress reduction can involve eliminating aspects of an individual's life that can cause strife and negative energy, such as unhealthy relationships and an excess of work.

Therapies

Psychiatrists can also utilize an assortment of therapies to help individuals with their depression. These therapies may include interpersonal therapy (IPT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). IBT consists of individuals learning how they can improve their relationships in order to boost support for their depressive symptoms as well as stressors. CBT works to involve individuals in the learning of identifying and managing negative thought and behavior patterns that are contributing to their depression. Rather than focusing on the negative, this form of therapy focuses on interacting with other individuals in a more positive manner.

Medication

Another option that psychiatrists may use is medication, though this is often a last resort and is prescribed lightly. Medication tends to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes and therapy, and when done so, it can be effective. It is generally prescribed after a certain number of sessions have been completed and the psychiatrist has a grasp on what he or she feels would be a successful and effective course of treatment for the individual.

If you or someone you know is depressed, consider scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist in your area for an evaluation. If the depression has gone to extreme levels or the depression is unable to be treated in an outpatient manner, you may need to consider inpatient care. For more information, contact a resource like Gateway to Success.