Living and dealing with depression is terrible. For anyone who’s ever dealt with this condition, finding a solution to feeling better isn’t always simple or straightforward. Depression is like a monster lurking in the shadows. It slowly creeps up on its victims, intending to strike when the moment feels right. Of course, that moment will never work out for the victim. Depression is insidious. Depression is cold. Depression is difficult. But fortunately, there are some treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms and help people feel better. Today, we’re looking at depression and how therapy and medical marijuana can help.
Depression Defined
Depression is nothing to scoff at. A common mood disorder, depression can be associated with bipolar, sadness, a lack of motivation, and suicidal thoughts. A loss of interest in activities, a lack of wanting to do anything, and generally being disinterested in the world around you are all symptoms of depression. Clinical depression, persistent depression, and bipolar are the most common types of depression you’ll hear about. But they’re all equally devastating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression affects a high percentage of adults. If you feel depressed, getting treatment is essential and should happen as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is sneaky. You might not know it hits you right in the face. So what are the symptoms of depression? Per the Mayo Clinic, depression manifests itself in different ways. It might be in the mood. You might experience anxiety, discontent, hopelessness, or just not be interested in activities. It could affect your sleep. It might make you very hungry or very tired. Your concentration could completely tank and you might be slow to do things. It might lead to excessive crying or even wild mood swings. If you recognize any of these things in yourself, you might want to consult a medical professional to help diagnose and treat any possible depression.
Therapy
Speaking of treatments, therapy is a common one for depression. Using a procedure known as cognitive behavioral therapy, a therapist can help depression patients understand and treat their issues. Depression is marked by negative thoughts and thought patterns. Those influence behavior, making cognitive behavioral therapy a useful tool for helping people overcome those negative thoughts. It isn’t a one size fits all solution, but it can be helpful for some. There are other types of therapy that might work as well, so be sure to consult with your doctor or therapist to see what fits you best.
Depression Medication
Another common way to treat depression is with medication. After a depression diagnosis, your doctor might decide to prescribe antidepressants. The way to get antidepressants is to speak with your doctor at length and with great transparency to see if they’re right for you. If they are, the doctor will prescribe them and you can use them to help treat depression. Not all doctors will describe antidepressants and it’s a very subjective thing, so your situation will vary from that of others.
Cannabis
Another unique treatment for depression is medicinal cannabis. Some states have medical marijuana laws that allow life instructors to prescribe or recommend medical marijuana for certain conditions. Depression is usually one of them. Depression is one of the qualifying conditions for medical card in Florida and many other states. Although there’s a lot of research happening right now, most of it suggests that mild, low THC cannabis/CBD can help temporarily alleviate depression symptoms because of the way it interacts with the endocannabinoids and your system to improve mood. More research in this area is needed, but it’s a good start for helping the millions of people dealing with depression every single day.
