Major depressive disorder (or clinical depression) is the top cause of disability for patients between the ages of 15 to 44 years, as per the reports of the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA).

It is the most severe type of depression and a chronic health condition that can occur in episodes, and each episode may last for several weeks or months. Major depressive disorder symptoms can have a crippling effect on individuals’ health and overall quality of life.

The good news is that major depressive disorders can be managed, and the first step in managing them is to recognize the signs and symptoms of clinical depressive disorders.

In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of major depressive disorder and how this mental health condition is managed.

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

Symptoms of major depressive disorder go beyond occasional bouts of the blues. They involve a cluster of signs and symptoms that can last most of the day, nearly all day, and for at least 14 days.

Major depressive disorder symptoms include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, or empty
• Having no interest in nearly all daily activities
• Alteration in appetite and weight
• Alteration in the sleeping pattern, e.g., sleeping too much or sleeping too little
• Increased restlessness and irritability
• Feeling “slowed down” nearly every day
• Having trouble thinking or concentrating
• Attempting suicide

** If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 immediately, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline toll-free at 988, or text “HOME” to 741-741**

How Is Major Depressive Disorder Managed?

Once you know that you or your loved one is having symptoms of major depressive disorder, it’s best to reach out for help from a mental health professional like psychiatrist or psychologist. They can perform psychiatric evaluations and determine the root cause of your major depressive disorder symptoms.

Then, they will develop a treatment plan for your depression that will depend on several factors, including the cause of your depression and its severity. Typically, major depressive disorder is managed with:

Medications

Prescription medications for depression, called antidepressants, can be recommended for short-term and long-term, and in combination with psychotherapy. There are several different types of antidepressants available, and your mental health professional may try more than one type of antidepressant to figure out the one that works best for your depression.

Psychotherapy

Otherwise known as talk therapy, psychotherapy involves talking with a therapist about your emotions and thoughts. The mental health professional can identify the unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that are contributing to major depressive disorder symptoms and then change them.

Psychotherapy has many types, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, which are the most common types used to treat clinical depression.

Mental Health Skill Building Program

A mental health professional may also recommend mental health skill-building programs to manage major depressive disorder. The program may include direct services and care coordination that help individuals perform daily activities independently and communicate with therapists. Such services can be provided in the office, at home, or in the community.

Management of Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms in Richmond and Martinsville, VA

At EPIC Health Partners, we offer a comprehensive range of mental health services. Our highly trained and skilled providers provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support our patients who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, and other psychological difficulties. We also offer telepsychiatry services for your convenience.

To make an appointment, please call us today at (434) 835-4601 or schedule an appointment now using our Request an Appointment form. We look forward to treating you!