As with nonpregnant women, mild depression in pregnancy and postpartum can be treated with psychological therapies. If medication is required and a woman is pregnant, she should discuss this with her healthcare provider, as some medications carry a risk of affecting the fetus. This risk needs to be weighed against the risk of the mother’s [...]

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There are various factors that will influence how well a person with depression is treated will respond to treatment and what his or her chances of relapse. Generally, after one episode of depression there is a 50% chance of relapse. The following factors are important in predicting how well someone will respond to antidepressant treatment. [...]

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There are various types of psychological treatments that your healthcare professional can discuss with you. The treatments will involve seeing a trained therapist for several sessions over a period of time. Some people may feel uncomfortable about this form of treatment as it involves revealing personal details to a healthcare professional and it carries a [...]

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Taking care of yourself and making some lifestyle changes may be effective in reducing your symptoms of depression and helping you recover. Some suggested lifestyle and self-care approaches include: Eating a healthful balanced diet Exercising daily Meditation Breathing exercises to reduce stress Avoiding smoking, drugs and excessive alcohol Surrounding yourself with a supportive friends and [...]

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Your healthcare professional will able to diagnose whether you are suffering from depression and its severity (mild, moderate, or severe) and he or she will be able to advise you on the best treatment approach. The goals of the treatment of depression include treating the symptoms as well as addressing the psychological, social, and physical [...]

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It is very important that you discuss with your healthcare professional what to expect with treatment and especially treatment duration. Antidepressants generally take 4 to 6 weeks to have an effect, so don’t give up on the medication immediately. See you healthcare professional for a regular checkup during the first 6 weeks to determine whether [...]

Continue reading " What to expect once you have started an antidepressant "