Depression

Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects how you think, feel, interact with others, and ability to function on a daily basis. Most experience feelings of sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure in doing things they once enjoyed. Sometimes even the simplest daily activities can seem impossible. Depression is more than occasional episode of sadness; it is characterized as the persistent feeling of sorrow and despair. A person cannot “just snap out of it” on their own but the good news is that 80-90% of people who seek help for their depression experience significant improvement with treatment.

Some of the most common signs of depression:

• Irritability
• Persistent feelings of sadness
• Exhaustion
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Unexplained physical problems
• Difficulty making decisions
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Changes in appetite
• Significant weight gain or loss
• No interest in enjoyable activities
• Restlessness or agitation
• Difficulty concentrating

Depression affect approximately 1 in 15 adults and 17% of people will experience depression at some point in their life. In women, it is more likely that 33% will struggle with a major depressive episode in their lifetime. There are different types of depression, each with unique causes, effects, and symptoms. Since treatment differs depending on the type of depression, a counselor can be the best tool for developing a treatment plan to assist in managing your symptoms. For most people with depression, treatment usually consists of a combination of treatments, including medication and counseling.