Depression And Anxiety

While most people understand the term "depression" as a "sad mood", "feeling down", etc., which are normal emotions we experience many times in our lives, Depression from a clinical standpoint refers to a mood disorder that can last a long time and often requires treatment.  

Depression commonly manifests through physical symptoms, like stomach pains, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and motor control difficulty. While the causes of depression are unknown, a predisposition for it runs in families and it can be triggered by trauma and adverse life circumstances. Depression tends to display differently in women than in men.  Depression and Anxiety both also have a "cognitive" component, which means that there are thoughts (usually negative) that become very frequent and intruding in a person's daily life, which may increase or perpetuate the other symptoms of depression and anxiety. Part of the treatment focuses on addressing these negative thoughts. 

People tend to suffer higher rates of depression after giving birth and in late fall. Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and conversations. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs or overeat as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems. People suffering depression are also at increased risk for self-harm.

Depression is a mood disorder which is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including:

• Apathy
• Sadness
• Guilt
• Exhaustion
• Irritability

Diagnosing depression often involves a psychiatric evaluation and various tests to determine whether a person’s symptoms are actually being caused by a different disorder. A person must have been experiencing symptoms for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression. Every case is unique and requires individual attention, but there are a number of effective  ways of treating depression, which often include a combination of:

• Talk therapy
• Antidepressant Medication
• Adopting a healthier lifestyle and self-care activities

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, you may contact a professional that can assist you in identifying the best treatment for your situation.