SUDEEPTA VARMA, M.D.

Depression treatment-

Many of us may have a low mood from time to time. However, depression is a persistently low mood that doesn’t go away. Plus, in depression you see several key associated symptoms. You don’t feel like getting out of bed, want to avoid the day, tend to become more isolated, turn down dates and opportunities to mingle with people. You may lose interest in activities you once sought out. Friends and family may tell you to “snap out of it” or “you have so much to be happy about”. Although the encouragement may be well-intentioned , people don’t generally “snap” out of a depression. Proper recognition and depression treatment leads to quickest response and recovery. Without depression treatment, people lose significant amount of income, days off of work, and overall general poor health. Depression is linked with heart disease, obesity, sleep problems, substance abuse, anxiety, domestic violence etc.  

How do I know if I need depression treatment?

Have you been experiencing a persistently low mood for 2 weeks or more, plus several of the following signs and symptoms ?

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings

• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Irritability, restlessness

• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

• Fatigue and decreased energy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

• Overeating, or appetite loss

• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

Depression treatment for mild to moderate depression may include exercise, talk therapy and improving one’s support systems, reducing work stress, and an improved diet. Talk therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, has been shown by numerous studies to be extremely effective in reducing depression symptoms. For some individuals, medications can, in conjunction with talk therapy, be an effective depression treatment.

Dr. Varma offers thorough psychosocial and medical evaluations for depression treatment and can provide consultation, second-opinion, talk therapy, or on-going medication management for those already working with a therapist. Call to schedule your depression treatment evaluation today.

Dr. Sue Varma in the press on depression treatment:

CNN-HLN-Postpartum Depression (2/22/10)

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/02/16/bts.postpartum.depression.cnn

-CNN-HLN 1/20/10- Job Loss and Depression

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2010/01/22/bts.job.lost.cnn

-CNN-HLN 12/23/09- Seasonal Affective Disorder

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/12/22/bts.seasonal.affective.disorder.cnn

Job Loss and depression-CBS News Up to the Minute (9/16/09)

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5314210n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Treating depression in pregnancy-ABC World News (8/23/09)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8395871