with depression. The process of depression diagnosis can be quite simple. The doctor beings by doing a physical examination, personal interview, and then lab tests in order to rule out other conditions that may cause depression. A physical examination is done because it will reveal the patient’s state of health and, by talking to the patient, the doctor can learn about new events that are relevant to making a depression diagnosis. Lab tests are also taken because clinical depression normally occurs alongside other medical illnesses. The doctor will also complete a diagnostic evaluation which is where you discuss any family history of depression or mental illnesses. Next, the doctor will assess your symptoms by asking how long you have had them for and when you think they began. In order to be diagnosed with major depression, the patient must have at least five of the symptoms associated with depression while having at least one of the first two symptoms being present nearly every day for at least two weeks. One of the first two symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest and enjoyment. Symptoms of depression can last for weeks and upwards to years. A person that has one or more major depressive episodes is diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD. What happens in a Major Depressive episode is that symptoms are present throughout most of the day and nearly every day at least two weeks. In very severe cases, individuals that suffer from this mental illness may be unable to eat, get out of bed, or maintain their hygiene. Also, some symptoms can be extremely disabling and interfere with a person’s ability to function.

All mental illnesses and mood disorders are treatable, with each condition requiring a different treatment approach. The first choice for treating depression are antidepressant medication. The most common type of antidepressants are known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. They are the most popular because they are very effective and have fewer side effects than other antidepressants. The main purpose of antidepressants is to improve the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. It is common for depressed patients to test out different antidepressant medication before finding the one that works best for them. The best way to know when you found the right medication is when there are noticeable improvements in your symptoms and has manageable side effects. Antidepressants often take 2 to 4 weeks to work. Before you notice a mood change, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration issues improve so it is important to give a medication a chance before concluding it does not work for you. The most important part about treating depression with antidepressants is to not stop taking them without consulting a doctor first. For some people, if they decide to stop taking the medication their depression returns and worsens. A doctor will slowly decrease the dosage over the course of 6 to 12 months because stopping them abruptly will cause the body to experience withdrawal symptoms. Despite there being several positives that come out of taking antidepressants there has been one