According to American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression (major depressive disorder) is “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home” (Torres, 2020).
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression. It is important to rule out medical causes as certain conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumor or vitamin deficiency) can mimic depressive symptoms.
“Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults in any given year, and one in six people will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can occur at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. There is a high degree of heritability (approximately 40%) when first-degree relatives (parents/children/siblings) have depression” (Torres, 2020).
If you can identify with the criteria above, then you may be struggling with clinical depression. Depression can be temporary, triggered by overwhelming life events, or it can last for months or years. Thankfully, there is an effective treatment for depression. There are evidenced-based methods that can alleviate the emotional pain and symptoms of depression to help clients reclaim their lives.
Let us partner with you to help you get you back to the life you want. Treatment can support a return to more positive feelings, promote connection with others, improve fulfillment in life and career, and optimization of your functionality.
Torres, F. (2022). What is Depression. Retrieved 30 April 2022, from https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression