Recognizing and Treating Depression
October is National Depression & Mental Health Screening Month. Depression affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. An estimated one in six people will experience depression at some time in their life. While it’s normal and healthy to experience sadness on occasion, depression is diagnosed when symptoms persist for at least two weeks and affect your ability to function in day-to-day life. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
- Sad or depressed mood
- Sleep disturbances, for instance sleeping too much or too little
- Change in appetite, including weight loss or gain
- Excessive guilt
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Low self-esteem, motivation or energy
- Concentration issues or Indecisiveness
- Irritability (especially in children)
- Suicidal thoughts
There are some medical conditions that can mimic symptoms of depression, so it’s important to see a medical professional to rule out any general medical causes for these symptoms. Following a diagnosis of Major depressive disorder, there are many treatment options available, including talk therapy and counseling, antidepressant medications, or non-drug NeuroStar TMS Advanced Therapy.
The first step in getting treatment is recognizing that there is an issue. If you or a loved one has been experiencing the signs and symptoms of depression listed above for two or more weeks, please don’t hesitate to contact our office and schedule an evaluation. We offer counseling and treatment for a variety of psychiatric issues, including depression, and treat individuals of all ages.
This October, recognize the symptoms of depression and make your mental health a priority. We are here to help with compassion and understanding, this month and always.
