I'm Embarrassed About Feeling Depressed: What Should I Do?

 The stigma of mental illness is, unfortunately, not all in your head. According to the American Psychiatric Association, over half the people facing mental illness never receive help, often due to shame or concerns over jeopardizing their livelihoods or relationships.

Compassionate board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Anne-Marie Odo, DNP, and our caring team take your mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, out of the shadows into the light so you can heal at Semper Healthcare Services in Addison, Texas.

What is depression?

Depression occurs at any age, in every financial bracket. It differs from passing feelings of sadness and mood changes, which we all feel. When you grow listless and dejected for days on end, it may develop into clinical depression, especially if left untreated.

Signs of depression include:

• Ongoing sadness lasting two or more weeks
• Finding less interest in previously pleasurable activities
• Changes in sleep and/or appetite
• Cognitive problems
• Feeling worthless
• Ongoing fatigue without any physical cause

It’s more than just an emotional illness. Depression may stem from long-term or recent psychological, social, and biological issues. 

How to get help despite your fears

Dr. Odo and our team enable you to move beyond your fears to lead a more fulfilling life. We work with you to overcome any negative self-talk that:

• Lowers your self-esteem
• Makes relationships even more difficult
• Increases your unwanted symptoms
• Reduces your likelihood of staying in treatment

If fears keep you socially isolated, there are things you can do to overcome them.

Helpful realizations

Dr. Odo identifies certain thoughts to help you better understand your depression and seek help.

You’re not alone

Depression is a common disorder experienced by more than 5.7% of adults across the globe. 

It can be treated

Whether your depression is moderate or severe, there is hope. Dr. Odo offers treatments for both moderate and severe depression, including ways to handle more resistant cases.

It’s ‘all in your head’

Depression is directly tied to brain activity, such as low levels of the feel-good hormone and neurotransmitter, dopamine. Antidepressants help your brain form new connections to better handle emotions. 

Self-care also helps

It’s important to stay connected to family and friends, even if you don’t feel you have the energy. 

Take a walk. A change of scenery puts your depression in perspective. Exercise also helps you feel more tired at night, making falling asleep easier.

Dr. Odo also recommends avoiding drugs and alcohol. She provides other methods and/or medications to help you cope.

How we ease your depression

Our team provides a variety of holistic treatments for your depression. These include:

Psychotherapy

Talking about your issues with a skilled professional helps you get to the heart of your problems. Certain therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), help rewire your brain by reversing negative thoughts into more positive ones.

Medication

Antidepressants elevate your mood, while talk therapy keeps you grounded. Dr. Odo may use Spravato®, a nasal spray containing esketamine or ketamine, if your depression remains resistant to other medications.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

This non-invasive technique applies a magnetic field to certain areas of your brain involved in depression. We connect a painless stimulator to your scalp to positively trigger nerve cells and lessen your depression.

Take the first step towards good mental health

If you’re still worried about what others may think about your depression, just remember this common mental health condition affects nearly 332 million people across the globe.

Dr. Odo and our team provide a range of therapies and medications, from psychotherapy to antidepressants, to relieve your depression. If you wish to discuss this, or any other mental health issues, just call our office at 469-746-3114 at Semper Healthcare Services or request an appointment online today.