Depression Treatment
Losing a loved one, going through a divorce, getting fired from a job, and other difficult life transitions can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Mild and relatively short versions of these feelings are normal reactions to life’s stressors. But when these feelings become severe, persistent, and long-lasting, they can interfere with your ability to function in daily life.
Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Depression is highly treatable, and many people who seek professional help feel better. If you’re depressed, working with a therapist can help you cope with your feelings, change your perceptions, and develop new skills to ease your symptoms. According to Mental Health America, more than 80% of patients treated for depression improve.
Finding the right therapist can make all the difference in getting the best treatment for depression, but it’s essential to do some homework before starting your search.
Overcoming Depression
When should you seek professional help?
Depression is a mental illness that involves persistent sadness, apathy, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, and a lack of interest in life. When these symptoms become overwhelming, frequent, or long-lasting, reaching out for professional help is essential. The symptoms of depression can vary widely, and several different types of depression fall under the category of depressive disorders. Some common depressive disorders include:
Major depressive disorder: People with major depressive disorder—also known as major depression, clinical depression, and unipolar depression—experience episodes of low mood that affect their ability to function in everyday life. Some common symptoms of depression include sadness, low energy or appetite, sleep problems, irritation, and a lack of interest or pleasure. For a diagnosis of major depression, these symptoms must persist for at least two weeks.
Persistent depressive disorder: Persistent depressive disorder is a chronic form of depression. Many of the same symptoms of depression affect people with persistent depressive disorder, but symptoms persist for at least two years.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): People with PMDD experience depression symptoms in connection with their menstrual cycle.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): People with SAD experience depression symptoms with the change in seasons, with symptoms typically beginning and ending at the same time each year. Many people with SAD experience symptoms in the fall and winter.
Postpartum depression: After childbirth, many new moms experience ”baby blues,” which consist of anxiety, low mood, and crying spells. ”Baby blues” begin within the first two to three days after birth, while postpartum depression involves a more long-lasting and severe depression.
Bipolar disorder: Although bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and not a type of depression, people with bipolar disorder experience episodes of extreme lows that meet the criteria for major depression (called ”bipolar depression”). However, people with bipolar disorder also experience extremely high moods called “mania.”
Many people with major depressive disorder also experience co-occurring mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders and substance abuse disorders, which can exacerbate symptoms and make recovery more challenging. Depressive disorders and anxiety disorders share similar risk factors and can contribute to each other, with one condition worsening or triggering the other.