Have you ever suffered from depression? We all experience sadness. However, for those suffering depression, their sadness and hopelessness go beyond their usual emotions and affect their personality.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 260 million people globally are affected by depression. This condition is harmful and can negatively impact one’s social and economic success.
Many millennials also suffer from depression, but not all of them seek medical attention. Research has shown that one in five youths diagnosed with major depression does not seek any form of treatment.
Telemedicine plays an essential role in the treatment of depression and other behavioral health issues.
Patients with treatment-resistant depression account for nearly $64 billion of the total cost of depression! Telehealth solutions have helped reduce treatment costs.
Those people suffering from depression also have increased rates of other chronic conditions, leading to more than twice the amount of healthcare costs than those without depression.
Saving money is a huge benefit when it comes to treating depression via telehealth, but there are other advantages as well.
Why Try Telehealth For Depression?
Depression in itself is a condition that can prevent a patient from visiting a health facility or office. If this occurs, it is advisable to offer telehealth as an alternative.
Telehealth has proven to be as effective as receiving in-person therapy or psychiatric treatment. Patients with depression are now able to receive treatment and diagnosis privately in their own homes.
Here are some reasons why telehealth is a great fit for patients suffering from depression.
- Effective Healthcare without the Travel
Thanks to telehealth, health providers can reach their patients using video-conferencing technologies such as Skype and FaceTime. The healthcare provider and the patient can then converse without being in the same room. This channel is the best way to deliver psychotherapy or other therapies to patients who are processing trauma or experiencing mental health difficulties.
The telehealth method is fast and effective. It saves the patient time that would otherwise be used to travel to see a doctor. This method can also be very reliable for those in remote areas where meeting a medical practitioner may be difficult.
- Protection for Patients
The last thing a depressed individual needs is to grapple with a physical illness on top of their mental illness. The infection and surging demands on the healthcare facilities have made telehealth a safer tool than in-person clinic meetings. Of course, the growing concern of COVID-19 makes remote meetings a good way to observe social distancing and other health protocols.
A survey by IT vendor Sykes shows that over 60% of patients, including those who are depressed, now prefer telehealth services due to COVID-19.
Medical personnel now conduct telemedicine with portable kits like vital signs, monitors or electrocardiographs. Physicians are also able to use high definition cameras to send detailed images of diagnoses to specialists. Therefore, patients get the care they need and reduce their risk of being exposed to more infections.
- Convenience, Consistency & Comfort
People with depression may require long-term treatment. Telehealth helps medical practitioners to engage with their patients regularly in a more convenient way. Consequently, the doctor and patient can communicate and discuss flexible schedules that work for both of them.
Telemedicine can allow the doctor and patient to communicate frequently, and also renew prescriptions immediately.
Finally, telehealth is more comfortable. Why? Because patients can open up and share with doctors in the privacy of their homes.
Patients with depression find this especially favorable — even on their worst day, it is far easier to pull out their phones than to drive over to the office for therapy.
Medicine Made Easy
Telemedicine is a better option for people suffering from depression and other mental disorders. With growing telemedicine availability, patients can now seek treatment without guilt or shame in the privacy of their homes.