Depression

You do not have to navigate this journey alone.  Depression, whether mild or severe, is a common condition impacting millions.  According to the American psychiatric Association, nearly one third of adults in the united states have been diagnosed with depression at some point in the lives.  While occasional sadness is a natural part of life, prolonged feelings of despair triggered by events such as the loss of a loved one, financial struggles, health challenges or career transitions can lead to a stressful outcome.  When sadness begins interfering with daily function, becomes unyielding or persists over time, it can evolve into a significant health concern, often misunderstood as laziness or indifference and it can lead individuals to feel isolated and hopeless.

Defining Depression

Depression affects people in the first ways, influencing thoughts, actions, emotions and perspectives.  Common symptoms include:

• Feelings of deep sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness
• Irritability
• Losing pleasure in activities you normally enjoy
• Lower self-esteem or self-worth
• Significant appetite changes
• Notable weight loss or gain
• Changes in sleep habits (Insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Loss in mental faculty (Poor concentration, forgetfulness, etc.)
• Increase in fidgeting or other purposeless physical activity
• Slowed movements or speech
• Thoughts of death
• Suicidal ideation or attempts

Identifying and sharing the symptoms with a mental health professional is crucial for effective care.  A comprehensive understanding of your emotional and physical experiences helps tailor treatment to meet your needs.

Treating Depression and its Symptoms

Treatment for depression can come in many forms. The type of depression a patient is living with can also be a major factor in treatment. Overall, the first step is seeking help. With your Psychiatrist, talking through your experiences and feelings can be a vital step in approaching care. From there, we can begin to explore options that may work for you. Depression affects everyone differently, so finding the exact approach to treat your depression can take time and collaborative effort. Psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety are expected to change over time. Our goal is to give you the tools to explore your depression and find ways to improve your symptoms. Not every treatment plan involves prescription medication, for example. When symptoms are too painful and disruptive, we can use medication as a kickstart. You will likely not need to be on medications forever if you get them.

Job performance can be affected by insomnia, inability to focus, low energy, irritability, and decreased ability to relate to others. A goal in treatment, besides relieving symptoms, is to help preserve functioning and prevent further issues. Sometimes substance use becomes another complexity added. This can be addressed in a non-judgmental and supportive way. When treating, addressing just one aspect of the problem leaves the others uncompensated. Modalities include psychotherapy, medications if needed, education, involvement of others designated by the patient, and coordination of medical care. We provide treatment as well as education to adults ages 18 to 70.

Compounding Factors that Can Lead to Depression

While the exact cause of depression is unknown, some factors can raise one’s risk of developing a depressive disorder. These may be biological, psychological, or environmental. Factors may include:

• Family history of depression or anxiety
• Experiencing traumatic events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, or financial issues
• Major life changes
• Medical problems, including cancer, diabetes, a stroke, or a chronic pain condition
• Side effects of medications. Please consult the prescribing doctor regarding any medication side effects.
• Alcohol or substance use or abuse

Types of Depression

Depression manifest in several forms below is an overview of some common types:

Major Depressive Disorder

Also known as Clinical Depression or just Depression, this is the most general type. Major Depressive Disorder may be diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe. An MDD diagnosis can also include sub-types such as melancholia, psychotic, antenatal, or postnatal. Generally, your depression symptoms occur most days, last for longer than 2 weeks, and have an impact on your daily life. This can include your work performance, social life, and more. Also referred to as clinical depression or simply depression, MDD is the most widely recognized form.  It can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.  Symptoms generally occur on most days for over 2 weeks, significantly affecting daily life such as work performance, relationships and social interactions.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

SAD is a mood-affecting disorder that is also referred to as seasonal depression. It most commonly occurs in the fall and winter months, as days get shorter and the weather gets colder. Seasonal Affective Disorder can have similar symptoms as MDD but has a greater emphasis on fatigue, overeating, and oversleeping. In many studies, it is shown to relate to the variation in light exposure from seasonal changes. Diagnosis often comes from examining one’s symptoms across a couple of years during the Winter months. SAD, often called seasonal depression, is a mood disorder commonly linked to fall and winter months when days become shorter and colder.  Symptoms overlap with those of MDD but tend to emphasize fatigue, overeating, and excessive sleeping.  Research suggests that changes in light exposure during seasonal shifts play a role.  Diagnosis typically involves assessing recurring symptoms over several years during winter.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Previously known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder, DDD is characterized by depressive feelings that persist for 2 years or longer.  Although symptoms are often mild or moderate, they tend to occur most days, leading to sustained low mood and energy levels.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, as well as alternating episodes of extreme mood swings from high energy, euphoric states to deep depressive lows.  These fluctuations can disrupt daily life, making stability and management essentially for both affected.

Postpartum Depression

PPD affects individuals assigned female at birth during the weeks or months following childbirth, and it can persist for up to a year.  Approximately 1 and 7 birthing individuals experience PP D, with symptoms including prolonged sadness, depression, and anxiety, crying spells, mood instability, exhaustion and self-doubt.  That started hormonal shifts postpartum, combined with the challenges of caregiving, often contributing to these feelings.  With appropriate support and treatment, PPD symptoms can improve, and the condition typically resolves over time.

Grief and Depression

Grief resulting from loss or life changes can lead to depressive symptoms.  Loss of a loved 1, late, career or health, along with major transitions like retirement or illness diagnosis, may trigger prolonged sadness.  What grief is a natural process, it often recurs with reminders such as anniversaries or holidays.  Therapy can help individuals navigate these episodes, reminding them that such reactions are part of healing.  Over time, emotional integration allows for strength in the face of loss.

Effects Prolonged Grief

The process of grief demands mental energy, which otherwise would be available to meet daily demands. Examples of such are becoming irritable, isolating from family and friends, partner, and spouse; procrastinating, fatigue, inability to exercise, finding no joy in life, and struggling with what came easy in the past. Over time, no one can tell how this started, since it is assumed that grief should be finished and it is a thing from the past. Over prolonged periods of this kind of stress, the body is not the same. Some people gain weight, some suffer from exacerbations of previous illnesses, fatigue, and loss of libido. Relationships can suffer, as emotional unavailability and painful states of mind recur every time triggers are encountered. Treatment involves supportive therapy, education, and medications when needed. Brief denies significant mental energy, often manifesting as irritability, isolation, fatigue, procrastination, loss of joy and difficulty in previously effortless tasks.  If unresolved grief may contribute to weight changes, exacerbation of existing medical conditions, fatigue or loss of libido.  Relationships can suffer due to emotional unavailability.

Treatment includes supportive therapy, education on grief management and medications if necessary to address recurring symptoms.