Depression
What it is and how to treat it.
What is depression?
Depression is a medical condition characterized by feelings of prolonged sadness and hopelessness. People who suffer from depression often experience a lack of interest in activities they used to find pleasurable, as well as symptoms that include: fatigue, restlessness, increased or decreased appetite, insomnia or sleeping excessively, low self-esteem, withdrawal from social activities, difficulty concentrating, chronic pain and thoughts of suicide.
What causes depression? Depression is often caused by a combination of environmental and chemical factors. External factors include incidences of personal trauma, life-changing events and serious illness. Chemical imbalances within the body caused by nutritional deficiencies, allergic reactions and genetic predisposition also affect mood.
Depression takes many forms, such as Clinical Depression (interferes with ability to function in daily life), Dysthymia (mild, chronic depression), Atypical Depression (characterized by psychosomatic complaints and moods shifts based on time of day), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD; mood affected by lack of sunlight and the nutritional deficiencies that result), Postpartum Depression (corresponds to hormonal changes and stress following pregnancy)and Anxiety Disorders (excessive worry, phobias and obsessive-compulsive tendencies).
What are the treatment options?
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes – A diet rich in vegetables, brown rice, whole grain oats and fish oils (Omega-3), along with a daily vitamin and mineral supplement, may help reduce symptoms caused by nutritional deficiencies. Other mood-boosting changes include increasing exercise, socializing more, choosing a creative outlet, volunteering (finding a sense of purpose) and learning relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, yoga, etc.,).
Medication – When additional support is needed, prescription drugs can help stabilize chemical processes in the body by restoring balance to the neurotransmitter connections that affect mood. These mood-related neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine, glutamine, GABA and norepinephrine. The three classes of anti-depressant medications used for treatment are SSRIs, TCAs and MAOI inhibitors. Additional medication may be prescribed to address pain associated with symptoms of depression.
How SuncoastRx can help
The most common medications used to treat depression include Zoloft, Lexapro, Abilify and Cymbalta. Unfortunately, the average monthly consumer spending for these drugs is a whopping $323 per month. With SuncoastRx, many customers pay around $32 per month, saving nearly $3,500 each year.
SuncoastRx is a new, fee-based consumer advocacy service that helps people who have difficulty paying for the prescription drugs that their doctor has prescribed. They identify programs that help you get your expensive medication for free - or for a very low cost - compared to the retail cost you might have to pay if you are uninsured.
Learn more about SuncoastRX