If you think you are suffering from depression, do not fear since you are not alone. More than 15 million Americans are currently in the same situation as you are. Unfortunately, detecting this disease is not as easy some might think. The symptoms are subtle and may be confused with other disorders or diseases. A good rule of thumb, however, is that in addition to a depressed mood if you have experienced other symptoms such as intense sadness, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in doing activities, loss of appetite, or even suicidal ideations all within a two-week period you may have depression.
Although many may believe, that depression is a standalone disorder, the disease is actually closely intermingled with other health conditions that can compound or be a major factor in causing your depression that would also have to be addressed during treatment.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way the body processes sugar. Type 1 diabetes usually develops during childhood and causes your body to stop producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life as a result of too much sugar being present in your body at too high of concentrations that cause your body to not be able to produce enough insulin. No matter how you obtain your diagnosis, diabetes is a chronic and life-altering condition.
Since diabetes is forever, there are numerous, drastic changes people must make to their lifestyle choices in what they eat and do on a daily basis that can produce undue amounts of stress and fatigue which could contribute to depression. Conversely, those already diagnosed with depression are more at risk of developing diabetes because the increased amount of stress can make the body react negatively and make it more difficult to metabolize sugar.
Chronic Pain
Another condition that goes hand in hand with depression is chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts more than 12 weeks in duration that simply does not go away. It can manifest itself in various forms to include: aching, throbbing, tingling, shooting, or constant. The link between chronic pain and depression has been well documented in numerous studies, but the exact reason why remains a mystery. One of the main theories is that chronic pain leads to a stress state. This state becomes an aggravating factor in that those already diagnosed with depression are less inclined to take the steps necessary to treat their condition while those suffering from the pain are more inclined to develop symptoms commonly associated with depression since 85% of chronic pain sufferers develop this condition.
For those afflicted by chronic pain, there are a number of options to treat them. Opioids are considered the standard, go to drugs for chronic pain, but these pose a significant risk factor for addiction, which is another leading cause of depression. Trying anti-depressants may be an option for some since these are known to not only help with treating depression but can help treat the pain as well.
Eating Disorders
The third most common medical condition associated with depression is eating disorders. These disorders can present themselves as either binging then self-purging or intentionally depriving oneself of food commonly referred to as bulimia and anorexia respectfully. The severe stress that sufferers put their bodies through can cause a severely malnourished state that only serves to exacerbate any underlying feelings of worthlessness, sadness, or depressed mood. On the other hand, those already diagnosed with depression may use these harmful practices as a negative way to cope with the feelings that caused them to enter a depressive state in the first place. No matter what category you might fall into these practices is scientifically proven to alter the chemicals in your brain such as serotonin, which affects mood, and cortisol, which affects stress.
Living With and Beating Depression
Depression, though a disorder of the mind, can actually affect every major system of the body. These affects may require drastic lifestyle changes for those afflicted by it, and this requires a holistic approach to treatment. Here at TMS Advantage, our staff is expertly trained to not only treat your depression but any underlying conditions causing it as well. We understand that depression can often require complex treatment of both physiological and psychological symptoms. Let us help you begin the path to recovery today.
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