What is Depression?
Depression is a word thrown around nowadays to mean the same as just being sad, but it’s a word that carries more weight. Depression itself can be like a black hole sucking out all positive feelings and thoughts. It takes over a person’s life by making them turn away from activities they find enjoyable, withdraw from socializing with loved ones, see no hope for themselves and their future, consider killing themselves, and feel anger and excessive guilt. Fortunately, this condition can be treated and is actually common to find among people.
What Causes Depression?
Several factors can cause depression. Biological factors can predispose a person to depression, such as brain chemistry if there’s an imbalance with the neurotransmitters or certain medical conditions. Cognitive factors can facilitate depression as well. An example of that is negative thinking such as “I will never be good enough”. How we think affects how we behave, and so any habits that stem from depression will lead to more depression.
How common is Depression and how long does it last?
Depression, surprisingly, is one of the most common forms of mental illness. Everyone in life has experienced some type of sadness, but many have experienced a “depressive episode”. The length of time for a depressive episode varies from person to person. The duration could range from weeks to months to years. Another condition, Bipolar Disorder, includes depression as one of the criteria to determine its presence.
What are the signs and symptoms of Depression?
- Unusually low mood
- Loss of interest in socializing
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Too much or too little sleep
- Frequently tired or exhausted
- Feeling of not wanting to do anything
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of irritation
- Thoughts about dying
What Does Depression Treatment Entail?
Depression treatment consists of psychotherapy, medication or both. Both options can bring about significant results, but the best development is from the combination of the two treatments, as long as the therapist and medical doctor are communicating about what is best for the client. Depression treatment often approaches symptom resolution through a variety of means.
Depression Treatment Components
Depression treatment focuses on unlearning negative thoughts, behavior, and relationship patterns that help further depression. It is helpful for someone suffering with depression to meet regularly with a therapist to develop new ways of thinking and behaving to combat symptoms of depression.
How Do I Get Started With Depression Treatment?
Contacting a mental health professional is the best place to start. They can provide a thorough assessment, recommend a course of action, and answer any questions you may have.
If you’d like to speak with one of our clinicians or schedule and appointment, visit our contact page and submit a form to hear from our intake coordinator.