October is depression and mental health screening month. Getting screened for depression is very important. Depression can be very detrimental to both one’s physical and emotional well-being. With an accurate diagnosis, you and your doctor can come up with a plan to start your road to recovery.

Why is it important?

 Over 20 million people get diagnosed with depression in the United States alone. Many of these people are experiencing depression symptoms not even knowing they have depression. Learning the causes behind the feeling is crucial. Getting a diagnosis can give the person closer as to why they are feeling this way. 

 It is important to get tested as soon as you start showing symptoms. Depression, like many other illnesses, is easier to treat in the early stages. 

Depression treatments

 Therapy is the most common form of treatment for depression. Therapy is used to help treat most mental health issues. Most therapy includes sitting down with a trained and trusted professional. You can talk through the problem that is negatively affecting your mental health. From there they will help you work through the issue and find healthy coping skills. 

 Another treatment for depression is medication. Medication is mainly used for moderate to severe cases only. Most doctors will suggest therapy before trying medication. Depression can be caused by external forces like experiencing a traumatic event. These cases can usually be worked through with proper therapy. Therapy can help those with severe and chronic depression but it usually takes more for the feelings to subside, this is where medication comes in.

 Depression medications are referred to as antidepressants. Lexapro is the most common medication for depression as it is also used to treat several other mental disorders. 

Importance

Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated as such. Millions of people in the United States suffer from depression. It is important to get screened soon after noticing symptoms in yourself or your loved ones.