The early warning signs of depression listed in this article can help a person know if they are suffering from depression. The different ways of treating depression and how sufferers can cope with depression are explained in this article.

Depression and its early warning signs
Depression is a mental condition that affects more than 16 million adults in the country. Women are more prone to depression. Many people who suffer from this condition are not even aware that they have depression. The following are some of the early warning signs of depression that can help a person identify if they are suffering from this condition:

• Frequent episodes of crying and feeling of sadness
• Anxiety and a feeling of panic
• Getting angry quickly and experiencing mood swings
• Feeling hopeless and thinking of suicide
• Change of appetite and change in sleep patterns
• Physical problems like pains and aches, and gastric problems
• Lack of interest in anything

Treatment of depression
Treatment for depression depends on the extent of symptoms. Medication is prescribed to help control the symptoms of depression. The medicines include antidepressant and antianxiety medications. These medicines must be taken only if prescribed by a qualified physician.

Psychotherapy is one of the key treatment methods to treat depression. This involves the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy and other such therapies offered by a professional. Psychotherapy helps to improve the mental condition and cope up with the symptoms.

Alternative therapies like acupuncture and yoga can be helpful to treat depression. Taking supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids, St. John’s wort and vitamins can help in reducing symptoms of depression.

Coping with depression
Apart from treatment given by a medical practitioner, there are other ways one can cope up with depression. These include:

• Getting support from family members and friends. Joining a support group can be very helpful. The support group would have people who have successfully coped up with depression. Their input and support can be very helpful. Support is especially important for women facing life-changing situations like pregnancy and menopause.
• Reducing stress by being relaxed is important to cope with depression. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises can be very helpful in stress reduction.
• A healthy and nutritious diet can help prevent eating disorders that are usually commonly experienced by those having depression.
• Exercise can play an important role in treating depression. Exercise helps to release endorphins that are feel-good hormones. This can help in improving the mood and feeling positive.
• It is very important to avoid alcohol, drugs, and other such addictions. This can create serious problems and must be avoided.
• Lack of interest is a symptom of depression. Overcoming this by participating in activities that are exciting and interesting is recommended. This will help in preventing episodes of depression.
• It is important to avoid negative situations and interactions with negative people.

The early warning signs of depression and information on treatment options for depression would be helpful to those suffering from this condition. The ways listed to cope with depression can be followed to manage symptoms.