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Feeling blue or down for more than a couple of weeks could be a sign of depression. 15% of people with Major Depressive Disorder eventually commit suicide. There is no routine medical test to diagnose for depression. A physician, psychiatrist or a psychologist may all ask you questions about your mood or changes in lifestyle that can suggest depression. Once you have a depression diagnosis, however, only a physician or psychiatrist will be able to prescribe medicine if that is desired and prudent.

Some patients with depression are prescribed psychotherapy (also may be called counseling or just therapy) only. Others are prescribed antidepressants and psychotherapy. Whatever depression treatment your physician or psychiatrist prescribes, please understand there are no “immediate” fixes like with some other medical illnesses. You may have to try several antidepressants and you’ll have to take the antidepressant for several weeks to see if it benefits you at all.

Symptoms seen with Major Depressive Disorder include:

• Depressed mood
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities
• Significant variation in appetite and weight
• Insomnia or excessive sleep
• Mental and physical agitation or slowing
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate

How do antidepressants end depression?
Three chemical messengers in the brain are involved with depression: nor epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters transmit electrical signals between brain cells.

If there is an imbalance in these three neurotransmitters, depression may result. Antidepressant medications work by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters or by changing the sensitivity of the receptors for them.

Chronic or severe depression often requires medical evaluation and treatment. Please contact your physician’s office or Dr. Westerback’s psychiatry office by calling (805) 497-1618 to make an appointment for an evaluation.