Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a medical condition that changes how your brain regulates mood, energy, sleep, and motivation. It’s not a mood you can decide your way out of, and willpower has nothing to do with how long it lasts.

A diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires two weeks or more of ongoing low mood or flattened interest, paired with a handful of other symptoms. Persistent depressive disorder is milder but lasts years.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression affects your body as much as your mood. Common symptoms include:

• Low mood most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Fatigue that rest doesn’t touch
• Sleeping far too much or too little
• Appetite and weight changes
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Aches, headaches, or digestive problems

Tell Tammie about every symptom on this list that applies to you, including the physical ones, since the full picture shapes her treatment recommendations.

What causes depression?

There’s rarely one cause. Several factors can bring on depression or make an existing case worse:

• Depression or another mood condition in a parent or sibling
• Grief after a death, divorce, or other major loss
• Ongoing stress at work or at home
• Isolation and lack of social support
• Financial pressure
• Thyroid problems and other medical conditions
• Chronic pain
• Certain prescription medications
• Alcohol and substance use

Tammie reviews your medical history and current medications during your evaluation, since several of these respond to treatment on their own.

How is depression treated?

Most patients do best with a combination of approaches, and Tammie adjusts the plan based on how you respond. Your plan may include:

Medication management

You may not feel the full benefit of an antidepressant for four to six weeks. Tammie explains what to expect, monitors side effects, and changes medications if the first one doesn’t suit you.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you identify and shift the thought patterns feeding your symptoms, while other approaches focus on relationships and daily structure.

Lifestyle support

Your sleep schedule, activity level, and time around other people all affect how quickly you recover, so Tammie works those into your plan rather than leaving them to chance.

Depression isn’t a condition you should work through on your own. Get in touch with Mindful Mental Health today by phone or schedule online to get the help you deserve.