Dealing with erectile dysfunction tends to lead to anger, frustration, sadness, and insecurity. If these feelings are not dealt with in a healthy way, it could manifest as clinical depression. Depression associated with ED is treatable. The first step is being honest with yourself, your partner, and your doctor. Depression is easy to get through once it is out in the open. This article mentions recognizable signs, diagnosis process, and common treatments of depression.
Recognizing depression means understanding the symptoms that come with it. Symptoms of depression include the following:
- Apathy
- Changes in appetite
- Drug or alcohol use
- Loss of interest in sex or hobbies
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tiredness
Depression has an impact on how one feels about him or herself in general. Although depression is marked by persistent sadness, the difference between sadness and depression is the inability to “pull it together.” Depression can last indefinitely if it is not treated properly. Appropriate treatments help individuals with depression get back on track.
When it comes to diagnosing depression, there is not a single test that would work. A doctor looks for certain patterns in a person’s behavior to make the determination. A doctor will ask several questions, and the doctor will need honest answers to make the diagnosis.
There are a couple ways to treat depression. One of the treatments is antidepressant medications, such as Prozac, Elavil, and Wellbutrin. Make sure to tell the doctor about ED because certain antidepressants can make it worse. The other type of treatment is talk therapy. During these sessions, a mental health care practitioner helps identify and work through issues related to depression. Some examples of talk therapy include couples therapy, group, and individual sessions. Treatment for depression and ED could mean utilizing both medications and therapy.
