What to Expect with the Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression & Anxiety
The treatment of anxiety and depression looks different from one person to the next as there are varying types and causes of depression and anxiety. Though treatment can look different depending on your depression symptoms or anxiety symptoms, it is still helpful to gain insight into what treatment could potentially look like. Though treatment plans vary, the process to get diagnosed is quite universal.
All treatment begins with a mental health professional gaining an understanding of the type (and severity) of anxiety and depression you are struggling with. There also may be another disorder that is causing your anxiety or depression symptoms, so better understanding what you are experiencing is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and finding an effective treatment for you.
Your doctor or mental health provider may diagnose you in one of several different ways when you are dealing with depression or anxiety. The first might be a physical exam along with health questions. Depression can be tied to another physical health condition, so checking for other symptoms is important. Related to that are lab tests to check your blood or thyroid (again, to see if your depression is linked to another health issue).
If your depression and/or anxiety is not linked to another physical ailment, then further diagnosis takes place. You might undergo an evaluation from your mental health professional, where they ask about your symptoms, thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. That evaluation can also take place through a questionnaire. Another way of diagnosing your symptoms is the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders). After you receive a diagnosis from your provider, your provider can begin developing your customized treatment plan.
Given there are many forms and causes of depression and anxiety, there are also a variety of treatment options. Individuals can have a combination of treatments as part of their personal treatment plan, they may undergo a series of them, or one treatment might be what they need to start feeling better. The types of treatment available include medications (such as various forms of antidepressants), psychotherapy (otherwise known as talk therapy), residential treatment (which happens in severe cases), and more.
Psychotherapy in and of itself comes with additional types of treatment. Again, depression and anxiety look and feel different for everyone, so customized treatment is necessary. One form of therapy someone might go through is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) if they are experiencing negative, unrealistic thoughts. Other types of therapy include problem-solving therapy or interpersonal therapy – all depending on your diagnosis and needs.
Though the treatment of depression and anxiety is different from one individual to the next, there is a similar process everyone will go through in order to get a treatment plan put together. The first step is seeking help, which is perhaps one of the hardest steps to take. If you are looking for counseling in Indianapolis, IN, reach out to Rock Life Counseling to begin your treatment journey today.
Let’s journey together and build a solid foundation you can rely on and win in life.
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