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What to do if your depression symptoms don't get better after treatment?
Depression has become one of the most common mental illnesses, particularly amid the pandemic. It is found that around 20% of the population is affected or was affected by any of the depressive symptoms.
Click here to know more about depression and its symptoms.
If you suffer from depression, contact your doctor for a diagnosis. Once diagnosed with depression the next step you will need to take is to choose the right treatment plan. It is necessary to continue the treatment plan that the doctor chooses for you. When it comes to deciding on the treatment plan for depressive symptoms, your doctor might evaluate you on the basis of the severity, duration, or symptoms that you experience. The different types of treatment that are used effectively for treating depression are psychotherapy, antidepressants, TMS, ECT, and Esketamine.
Psychotherapy and antidepressants are the first lines of depression treatment. Brain stimulation therapies like TMS and ECT are more effective for people who do not see any positive response to psychotherapy or oral antidepressants.
How to know if you are getting better?
Normal daily functioning
Depression may interfere in the daily activities of a person and make it difficult to function normally. After starting your treatment or medications, if you notice that you are improving when it comes to handling daily activities, then it is a sign that your condition is improving.
Reduced mood swings
Mood swing is a common symptom of depression. The right treatment plan will reduce the mood swings that you experience on a daily basis.
Reduced episodes of depression
A positive effect of your treatment will result in decreased or delayed intervals between the episodes of depression that you experience.
Better relationships
People suffering from depression tend to have relationship problems. They might have difficulty in personal and professional relationships. Treating depression will change the way you feel about yourself and also about others. This will in turn help you in becoming a better person when it comes to maintaining relationships.
Untreated depression:
Never ignore the symptoms of depression and think that your body will adjust naturally. Like any other disease, depression has to be treated and if left untreated may cause serious consequences including difficulty in daily activities, relationship issues, and even suicide. Hence, keep a track of any symptoms that you experience and get help if needed.
What to do if you do not see any changes after treatment?
While it is not possible to see sudden changes right after the first session or within few days after having antidepressants, you may still keep a track of the symptoms to check if you are getting better or not. It is good to keep a journal to keep notes of the symptoms or feelings that you experience every day. You need to discuss with your doctor if you note that the symptoms are getting worse or not having any change. For example, people who do not experience improvements in depressive symptoms after taking antidepressants may get better when they undergo brain stimulation therapy like TMS. Hence it is essential that you keep track of the symptoms and discuss it with your doctor.
It is also very important that you do not stop or delay the treatment for depression. It is vital that you follow your doctor's instructions and cooperate to complete the course of your treatment. This would ensure that your mental health condition improves over time and you can start enjoying your normal life.