Why do anti-depressants seem to work well for some and not at all for others? In this episode of Ask a Psychiatrist, Dr. Erik Messamore takes on this question, offering practical information about the multi-faceted nature of depression and factors to consider in choosing from a range of treatment options.
A clinician has more than half a dozen pathways to think about the cause of high blood pressure, each with its own family of medications available as possible treatments.
But when it comes to depression? It’s treated as a one-size-fits-all monolith – as if there are no variants or factors specific to the affected individual.
Dr. Messamore has a different take, explaining the range of biological, environmental, social, and even spiritual variables that are relevant to mood.
As a first step, Dr. Messamore underscores how important it is for patients, their families and most of all clinicians to put on a Detective’s Hat: Keep track of symptoms and the progression of treatment; consider having a personality assessment done to better understand the individual’s unique psychological landscape and tendencies; take a pro-active approach to researching and considering alternatives to a bio-chemical approach.
When it comes to treatment options, they are as diverse as the nature of depression itself, which is why this episode of Ask a Psychiatrist not only describes some common types of depression but also an array of clinical strategies to augment or replace anti-depressant medications. Dr. Messamore also breaks down how drugs affect particular neurotransmitters and why Evidence-Based Psychotherapy can be a highly effective tool for responding to depression – especially those that are not genetically based.
With the incidence of depression on the rise nationally, generation over generation, it’s very likely that you or someone you love will encounter the complex and constantly evolving field of psychiatry. Dr. Messamore is here to answer questions and provide information about mental illness and general wellness.*
*Advice provided by the host is not addressed to any specific person or personal situation. If you are experiencing a health emergency, please consult a physician.
Click here to view a relevant video in which Dr. Messamore offers additional thoughts on this topic.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
QUOTABLE:
“We’re living in a time where we have more medication treatment options for depression than ever before … yet depression rates are growing. They’re going up and up.”
“It’s important if you’re not getting good results from Treatment A or Treatment B to press the pause button with your doctor and talk about all the options.”
“The specific symptom cluster that we call Melancholic Depression might tip the scales in favor of assuming that biological factors are more relevant.”
“The thing about perfectionism is that you can never achieve it. You can always envision something better than what you’ve currently got.”
“It’s really important for everybody involved – patients, their families and especially clinicians – to put on a Detective Hat as well as a Doctor Hat.”
About the Host:
Dr. Erik Messamore is a board-certified psychiatric physician and PhD-level pharmacologist. He’s a consultant psychiatrist, researcher, lecturer, teacher, and solution-focused scholar currently affiliated with the Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio. He is joined on this podcast by Melissa Xenophontos, a journalist, radio producer and longtime mental health advocate.
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