When to Consider Medication for Depression
Depressionis one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, and the COVID pandemic caused the problem to surge.
The good news is that depression is treatable, and you don’t have to live with the debilitating symptoms. Dr. Joy Kwakuyi at Faith Integrated Psychiatryin Phoenix and Tucson helps Arizonians overcome depression by identifying and addressing the underlying cause.
Some patients come to Faith Integrated Psychiatry asking for medication, while others want to avoid it at all costs. There are many myths about depression medication circulating the internet and social media, which is why Dr. Kwakuyi is taking the time to explain antidepressants and help you understand when they might be a beneficial part of your treatment.
Have you received a depression diagnosis?
Feeling depressed or sad is different from a clinical major depressive disorder. Sadness is a healthy human emotion and is normal after losing a loved one, breaking up or divorcing, or experiencing other disappointing life events.
To count as a depressive disorder, you must exhibit a depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure, plus at least three more depression-related symptoms, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
So, you first need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwakuyi for a complete evaluation. If you meet the criteria, he discusses your treatment options. If not, he can help you identify and address the source of your negative feelings and help you learn to cope with them healthily.
First-line depression treatments
If Dr. Kwakuyi determines you suffer from a major depressive disorder, he first seeks to understand the root cause of your symptoms.
In many cases, stressful life events trigger depression, and resolving those issues alleviates the symptoms. For example, you may find that problem-solving a financial situation, conflict at work, or a living arrangement is the key to resolving your depression symptoms.
We offer structured psychiatric care such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you develop different ways of thinking about and responding to stressful or depressing situations. We identify patterns of thought and behavior that trigger depressive symptoms and negative self-talk and empower you to make healthy changes.
Our Faith Integrated Psychiatry team always considers your unique story, personality, and life circumstances, and we understand that all our patients are highly individual. For those seeking spiritual guidance during their depression treatment, we provide Christian counseling to help you connect with God through prayer and Scripture.
Dr. Kwakuyi also offers the benefits of his innovative treatment: the Authentic Healing Process for Depression (AHPD). Based on time-honored, effective approaches and enhanced by evidence-based methods and clinical research, Dr. Kwakuyi’s treatment method addresses depression through five essential dimensions:
- Self-efficacy
- Biomechanical
- Spiritual
- Social
- Professional
He explains this interdisciplinary approach in detail in his book, The Ultimate Cure for Depression: Leveraging Science and Faith for Total Healing.
When to consider medication for depression
Just because medication for depression isn’t the first course of action doesn’t mean it’s a last resort. If you aren’t responding to more conservative therapies or your symptoms worsen, medications can be a key component of your treatment.
When you experience a major depressive disorder, it’s likely because of an imbalance in your brain’s neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Low levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin are common in people with depression.
Antidepressants aim to restore your neurotransmitter balance. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the two most common and most effective depression medications.
However, it takes a few months for the drug to kick in, and frequent adjustments are required to find the right dosage and frequency for each patient. Talk to Dr. Kwakuyi about other medications and supplements you take, as antidepressants may cause serious side effects and drug interactions.
The good news is that SSRIs and SNRIs both work well with talk therapy and CBT.
To find out if it’s time to consider medication for your depression, contact usonline or by phone to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwakuyi.
