Depression

Written By Kori Gordon

MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects many areas of an individual’s life from how one feels, the way one thinks and acts but in most cases it is treatable. This condition can lead to feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression can also lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease one’s ability to function at work and home.

SIGNS AND SYMTPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:    

  • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

  • Unexplainable weight loss or gain that is unrelated to diet

  • Sleep disorder

  • Fatigue

  • Speech disorder

  • Feeling worthless or guilty

  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

RISK FACTORS:

Several factors can play a role in depression:

  • Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to signs and symptoms of depression

  • Genetics: Depression can be hereditary. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70% chance of having the condition at some point in their life as well.

  • Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic are more likely to experience symptoms of this condition.

  • Environmental Factors: Exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty over time may make some people more vulnerable to depression

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

  1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
    Major symptoms of MDD include; lack of interest in things once enjoyed and a sad or depressed mood. To be diagnosed with this type, the signs must be severe enough to interfere with daily life activities, they must not be due to grief, substance abuse, medication, or another medical condition, or schizophrenic disorder. If there a manic or hypomanic episode, the diagnosis will most likely not be MDD.

  2. Persistent Depressive Disorder
    This type of depression is also referred to as dysthymia. With this type of depression, it is likely to last at least two or more years. During those years, the symptoms may improve or become more severe but are present at some level throughout that time..

  3. Bipolar Disorder
    Also known as manic depression. A condition in which depressive symptoms alternate with manic or hypomanic symptoms. During the depressive phases, there may be any of the general depressive symptoms. In the manic phase, there might be symptoms like rapid speech, grandiose ideas, elevated mood, and many others. Hypomania is similar to mania, but it’s less extreme. A patient with bipolar disorder might experience times when they are neither depressed nor manic/hypomanic.

  4. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
    The seasonal affective disorder is a depressive disorder that commences in the winter months and begins to decrease in severity during the spring. It may be related to the amount of natural light one is provided during the day. Seasonal depression typically has symptoms like social isolation, weight gain, and oversleeping. SAD commonly returns during each winter.

Other Types include:

  • Perinatal Depression

  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Syndrome (DMDD)

  • Atypical Depression

  • Reactive Depression

  • Major Depression with Psychotic Features

DEPRESSION AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Medical Marijuana may be of benefit for those suffering from depression. However, one should not self-medicate with marijuana without first consulting a medical professional. Marijuana might be considered for use in alleviating the symptoms of depression but should not be the sole treatment.

OTHER TREATMENTS:

  • Medications

  • Light Therapy

  • Brain Stimulation Therapies

  • Psychotherapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

How to Get Medical Marijuana to Treat Depression Side Effects in Virginia

For patients who suffer from the side effects of Depression or have any other medical condition or symptom they feel could benefit from marijuana treatment we recommend scheduling an appointment with our marijuana doctor or one of his cannabis practitioners.

By getting your Virginia marijuana card you will get access to the state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries which will allow patients to purchase marijuana and cannabis-infused products to treat their medical conditions. The products sold at the state marijuana dispensaries in Virginia have strict controls on what can be in the product.

Many of our patients like that they will know exactly what is in their medical cannabis products when they purchase natural and medicinal marijuana products from the dispensaries. They also appreciate that it gives them access to the same potency product anytime they need it as well as the added benefit of being able to have it hand delivered to their door.

Start the process of getting your Virginia Marijuana Card today be clicking on the “Schedule an Evaluation” button below. All payments are 100% refundable if you are not certified for medical marijuana treatment. All medical conditions are considered by our marijuana doctor and his team of providers so if you are interested in seeing if you could benefit then schedule your appointment to get approved today!

Kori Gordon
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