Talking to someone can ease your feelings of being alone and trapped, and it can give you a better outlook on your situation. These doctors can perform laboratory tests and a physical examination to determine if you have an underlying medical illness or condition that is causing or contributing to depression. They can also refer you to a psychiatrist if initial drug therapy doesn't help you or if your depression is severe. Do expect that you will gradually feel your dark mood lifting. Over the course of several weeks, it should get easier to get out of bed, and to do the everyday tasks you need to do.
Antidepressants have a lot of side effects.
Yes, it's true that antidepressant drugs can produce side effects. The effects vary from one person to another, just as depression symptoms vary and the response to drug therapy varies. If you experience dry mouth, increase your fluid intake, try chewing gum or using artificial saliva products, and clean your teeth frequently. Ask your dentist about using a fluoride rinse to prevent cavities, which can occur when you are not producing enough saliva. If you are constipated, drink lots of fluids, eat bran cereals, salads, and other forms of fiber daily, and exercise regularly.