Depression

You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.

We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:

Learn about self-care tips you can take to get through the holiday season.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, with National Suicide Prevention Week taking place from September 4th-10th. Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, and is preventable through increased mental health awareness and mental health treatment. How can you help?

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized nationwide to bring understanding of the mental health needs and experiences within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, and others who face disproportionate inequities in care, support or mental health services in this country. Whether you’re interested in learning more about the importance of mental wellness or would like to find treatment for a mental health condition, we’ve compiled a list of resources and information from groups including Mental Health America (MHA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) below.

Anxiety and Depression: Understanding the Overlap When you are dealing with troubling symptoms such as decreased energy, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and agitation, you might feel frustrated and concerned. This is especially true if you seem to be physically healthy otherwise. You probably know that the symptoms you’re dealing with can point to mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. In turn, you may be wondering if it is possible to have both at the same time and, if that’s so, how to seek relief. Understanding where and how depression and anxiety overlap is an essential step toward seeking treatment for your symptoms. How do Anxiety and Depression Overlap? First, note that people can have both anxiety and depression at the same time. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America estimates that nearly half of all people dealing with anxiety also have depression and vice versa. Anxiety can be a symptom of depression , and anxiety disorders like GAD and OCD can trigger depression. Clearly, these two conditions are inextricably linked. Both depression and anxiety have their own set of symptoms, as set out by the DSM-5. You’ll notice that both conditions list difficulty concentrating, problems sleeping, and fatigue as defining symptoms. What are the Symptoms of Depression? From celebrities to athletes to members of the royal family, depression can affect anyone. Some experts estimate that over 260 million people around the world live with depression. Symptoms of this condition can include: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or apathy A loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities Difficulty concentrating Changes in sleep patterns—sleeping more or less than usual, for example Eating less or more than usual Lack of energy (fatigue) Depression can be unpleasant, painful, and frustrating—especially if you also have anxiety. What are the Symptoms of Anxiety? When your heart races in certain situations or you feel nauseated for days at a time, you might think it’s normal. Especially if you have experienced symptoms like this all your life. It may not occur to you that this excessive worry is a symptom of anxiety, a highly common mental health condition that can also cause : Feelings of panic, danger, and doom Shortness of breath Hyperventilation Dizziness Problems sleeping Dry mouth The sensation of having a knot in your throat Problems concentrating Fatigue Obsessively avoiding objects or places that you find fearful These are just a few of the ways anxiety can manifest. Overlap Between Anxiety and Depression Symptoms As with depression, the causes of anxiety are complex. And while the causes are not fully understood, experts believe that traumatic life events and high-stress levels are some of the contributing factors. Further, researchers have found that generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder have a level of shared genetic risk . The silver lining is that both anxiety and depression can be treated similarly. Can You Treat Anxiety and Depression at the Same Time? Yes. If you feel that any of the depression or anxiety symptoms sound all too familiar, know that treatment is available for both ‌conditions. In some cases, you may be able to undergo therapy that reaches beyond traditional antidepressants. Reach out to your doctor to find out what you can do to treat your symptoms, whether that’s antidepressant medication, talk therapy, or TMS therapy. TMS therapy is an FDA-cleared treatment for OCD and depression that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. In August of 2021, TMS was FDA cleared to treat anxious depression, too, which means that if you suffer from anxious depression, TMS can treat symptoms of both anxiety and depression simultaneously. Learn how TMS works and schedule your free consultation today. Or, enter your zip code in our center locator to find a TMS center near you .

How TMS Helps Military Families Trauma, separation from loved ones, injury, extreme stress, and death are all potential hazards faced by military families. These pressures can lead to major depressive disorder for service men and women, as well as their loved ones. TMS can be an effective depression treatment for military families. Depression and the Military Depression can linger for members of the military long after their tours of duty are over. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that: Roughly 1 in 3 veterans showed signs of depression during their doctor’s appointments. Another 1 in 5 have symptoms serious enough to warrant a diagnostic evaluation. And about 1 in 8 to 10 veterans has major depressive disorder that calls for treatment such as antidepressants or talk therapy. If those first-line treatments don’t work, TMS for veterans may be an option. Many factors can increase the risk of depression for service men and women. These include: Traumatic brain injury suffered during combat Substance abuse Attacks that are physical or sexual in nature Combat stress Separation from their support network back home The risk of depression also may increase for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma they’ve experienced can trigger symptoms of depression, such as sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or insomnia. Some of the VA’s sobering statistics on PTSD and members of the military : About 30% of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD at some point in their lives. Roughly 12% of Gulf War vets have reported PTSD. And 11% to 20% of people who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have PTSD in any given year. These issues aren’t limited to those who served. Loved ones and close relatives can also suffer from depression, especially during deployment. They may also struggle with PTSD if the enlisted member of the family experienced trauma or injury during military service. How to Tell If You or a Loved One Has Depression Has your loved one acted differently since separating from active duty? Or are you feeling a gnawing anxiety with your partner on tour of duty? It’s helpful to know if depression is the cause. Watch for these signs: Persistent sadness or hopelessness Lethargy Insomnia Feelings of guilt or worthlessness Changes in weight or appetite A brain fog that inhibits concentration or clear thinking Depression treatment for military families usually entails talk therapy (perhaps with a counselor who is also trained in treating PTSD) and/or antidepressant medications. Sometimes, it is also beneficial for military members to join a support group of fellow veterans where they can share their stories with others who have similar experiences. TMS For Military Members: How It Can Help TMS therapy for PTSD isn’t cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, TMS can be used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder. This can be an effective treatment method for members of the military and their families who haven’t gotten the results they want from medication or talk therapy. TMS can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatment modalities. The science behind how TMS works : An electromagnetic coil is placed on the patient’s scalp. It emits magnetic pulses, which turn into gentle electrical currents that stimulate targeted areas of the brain. Treatment sessions last about 18 to 40 minutes and take place over several weeks. Sessions take place every weekday for the first several weeks before tapering in frequency. TMS for military members offers several benefits, including: It’s non-invasive. It doesn’t require sedation, so you can drive yourself to and from treatment. Side effects are minimal. TMS can have a long-term benefit. One study found that among those who improved, 62% were still improved or in remission a year after treatment. Plus, TMS for military members is covered by TriCare. This is the health insurance carrier for active duty service men and women, as well as family members, retirees, and members of the Reserve and National Guard. Greenbrook TMS is honored to help military families find solutions for depression with TMS treatment. We understand the importance of supporting members of the military in their quest to improve their mental health. Our chief medical officer, Dr. Geoffrey Grammer , is a decorated Army colonel who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He also developed the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as its chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you and schedule your free consultation .