Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 1 (EPDS) Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing. 2 The 10-question Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a valuable and effici ent way of identifying patients at risk for “perinatal” depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply 'snap out' of it.

Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both.

Signs of Depression. Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.Before a diagnosis or treatment a health professional should conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and possibly a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test might be done to make sure the depression is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem. The evaluation is to identify specific symptoms, medical and family history, cultural factors and environmental factors to arrive at a diagnosis and plan a course of action.Medication: Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and may factor into their treatment. The king of fighters games in series.

For this reason, antidepressants might be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry. These medications are not sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers. They are not habit-forming.

Generally antidepressant medications have no stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression.Antidepressants may produce some improvement within the first week or two of use. Full benefits may not be seen for two to three months. If a patient feels little or no improvement after several weeks, his or her psychiatrist can alter the dose of the medication or add or substitute another antidepressant.

It is important to let your doctor know if a medication does not work or if you experience side effects.Psychiatrists usually recommend that patients continue to take medication for six or more months after symptoms have improved. Longer-term maintenance treatment may be suggested to decrease the risk of future episodes for certain people at high risk.Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is sometimes used alone for treatment of mild depression; for moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often used in along with antidepressant medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is a form of therapy focused on the present and problem solving. CBT helps a person to recognize distorted thinking and then change behaviors and thinking.Psychotherapy may involve only the individual, but it can include others. For example, family or couples therapy can help address issues within these close relationships.

Group therapy involves people with similar illnesses.Depending on the severity of the depression, treatment can take a few weeks or much longer. In many cases, significant improvement can be made in 10 to 15 sessions.Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment most commonly used for patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder who have not responded to other treatments. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. A patient typically receives ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and many years of research have led to major improvements. It is usually managed by a team of trained medical professionals including a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist and a nurse or physician assistant.

WHEN TO SEE A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference.

And if you're having trouble, know that you are not alone: One in four adults in this country have a mental health problem in any given year.Of course, you don't have to be in crisis to seek help. Why wait until you're really suffering?

Even if you're not sure whether you would benefit from help, it can't hurt to explore the possibility.A mental health professional can help you:. Come up with plans for solving problems.

Feel stronger in the face of challenges. Change behaviors that hold you back. Look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel. Heal pains from your past. Figure out your goals.

Build self-confidenceMost people who seek help feel better. For example, more than 80 percent of people treated for improve. Treatment for has up to a 90 percent success rate.Treatment for a mental health issue can include medication and psychotherapy. In some cases, the two work well together.What, exactly, is psychotherapy?

It's a general term that means talking about your problems with a mental health professional. It can take lots of forms, including individual, group, couples and family sessions. Often, people see their therapists once a week for 50 minutes. Depending on your situation, treatment can be fairly short or longer-term.Some people worry that getting help is a sign of weakness. If you do, consider that it can be a sign of great strength to take steps toward getting your life back on track.

WHEN TO GET EMERGENCY HELP. I feel like finding out that I am probably depressed makes me feel even worse. I don’t feel like I have a reason to be depressed and I don’t want to seem like I’m attention seeking. I don’t think I have the right to be depressed so Ive been ignoring it for a while, but now I know that I should probably seek further diagnosis and probably treatment. The test itself was pretty conclusive and aligned with others I’ve taken. I guess I’m just disappointed with the results, as would you be if you discovered you had moderately severe depression. Thank you for uploading this.

I really appreciate this because I didn’t want to go out of my way to get an opinion for fear that people would judge me, but the confidentiality really helps. Please note: Our screens are for adults only. By participating youacknowledge that the screen is not a diagnostic instrument and is only to be used by you if you are 18 years or older. You are encouraged toshare your results with a physician or healthcare provider.Mind Diagnostics, Inc., sponsors, partners, and advertisers disclaim any liability, loss, or risk incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, fromthe use and application of these screens.If you are in need of immediate assistance, please dial 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at1 (800) 273-8255.

If you suspect that you might suffer from depression, answer the questions below, print out the results, and share them with your health care professional.To locate a specialist who treats depression, visit the ADAAOver the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless3.

Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much4. Feeling tired or having little energy5.

Poor appetite or overeating6. Feeling bad about yourself—or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down7.

Trouble concentrating on things such as reading the newspaper or watching television8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed?

Or the opposite—being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some wayIf you clicked on any problems above, how difficult have they made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?Not difficult at all Somewhat difficult Very difficult Extremely difficultReferenceBased on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Developed by Drs. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.No permission required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute.Print this form Other resourcesHere you can learn more about the impact and history of the.