I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

those modifiable factors, (e.g. alcohol abuse) as removing the factor
will be part of your depression treatment plan.
Some patients say, “I don’t have depression, I only have financial
problems.” Bear in mind that from a medical/psychological
perspective, a diagnosis of ‘depression’ is generally made
irrespective of the stressors (as long as the signs/symptoms and
criteria on page 4 are fulfilled and significantly interfering with a
person’s life).
3. Can I not take medicine?
Antidepressants are only one of the treatment methods for
depression. Whether you’ll need antidepressant treatment depends
on several factors:
• The severity of the depression
• Attitude towards medicines
• Are you sensitive to medicine side effects?
• Are you willing to come regularly for talk therapies?
• Are you willing to modify your lifestyle?
Generally speaking, it’s possible to treat mild depression (ONLY
mild) without the use of antidepressant – in fact, it’s a better option.
But one has to be willing to work hard on the non-medication
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