You may have been suffering from depression for a long time. You may have been seeing a doctor and taking the prescribed medications, but you still feel no relief or change. "Why is this happening to me? Will I never get over this?" you may be wondering. You are not the only one suffering this way. About 30% of people with depression do not get better even after taking the first two medications at the right dose and for the right amount of time. In medicine, we call this condition Treatment -Resistant Depression (TRD) . This does not mean that you will never get better. It just means that you need special attention and a method to deal with it. Let's talk about this today and how you can take control of your own recovery.
How do you choose a doctor who is right for you?
Your doctor is the most important partner you will have on this journey. You may already have a doctor, or you may be looking for a new one. Regardless, the stronger the relationship between you and your doctor, the better your chances of getting good results from your treatment. It's like teamwork . So, think about these things when choosing a doctor.
| Considerations | Ask yourself. |
|---|---|
| Your convenience and confidence | Does the doctor listen carefully to what you have to say? Does he/she answer your questions clearly? Do you feel like you can talk openly about your fears and anxieties without hiding anything? |
| Training and experience | Does he have previous experience treating people with treatment-resistant depression? How long has he worked in this field? |
| Treatment process | How do you measure whether your condition is improving? Are your expectations from treatment and your doctor's goals on the same level? Do you both have the same understanding of this? |
| Communication | Is it easy to make an appointment to see the doctor? Is there a way to call or send a message if an urgent issue arises between clinic days? Are there facilities for online (Telehealth) appointments? |
| Payment and insurance | Is this doctor included in your insurance coverage? Or will you have to pay out of pocket? Will there be any special arrangements for payment? |
| Cultural understanding | Does the doctor understand and respect your background, beliefs, and lifestyle? |
Remember, if you feel like your current doctor isn't a good fit for you, there's nothing wrong with finding someone else. This is a long journey. So you need to have a good, trustworthy feeling about the person who is helping you on this journey.
What can you do on your part?
You can't just leave everything to your doctor. You have a big role to play in your recovery. When you're living with Treatment-Resistant Depression, even doing the things you normally do can be incredibly difficult. But if you try to follow these steps on your part, you'll be able to make your day a little easier and support your treatment better.
Stand up for your own healing.
- Stick to your treatment plan: Don't skip doctor appointments, therapy sessions, or medication. It's important to take your medication on time and in the prescribed dosage.
- Stay away from alcohol and drugs: Some people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the stress of depression. However, these things actually make the symptoms of depression worse and make it more difficult to treat.
- Manage stress: Practice calming techniques. Things like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help a lot. Choose something that you enjoy and that is easy for you.
- Sleep well: There is a strong connection between sleep and depression. Lack of sleep increases depression. So, prioritize sleep. Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Stay away from your phone and watching TV before bed.
- Exercise: Make it a habit to exercise daily. Exercise is like a natural medicine that can boost your mood. Even a brisk 30-minute walk a day can make a big difference.
All of this is done for you. If you and your doctor work together as a team, it won't be difficult to overcome this challenge.
Take-Home Message
- Treatment-Resistant Depression doesn't mean you'll never get better. It just means it will take some time to find the right treatment for you. Never give up.
- It is very important to choose a doctor who you can talk to openly, who understands you, and who respects you.
- You are an active participant in your recovery process. Be honest with your doctor about your feelings and changes in symptoms.
- In addition to medication, things like good sleep, exercise, stress management, and avoiding drugs are essential to your well-being.
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