Depression

Have you ever felt sad, lonely, anxious, irritable or lack motivation?   At some point we all feel these emotions.  These feelings are normal reactions to certain life stressors such as the loss of a loved one, stress, relational issues, grief and etc.  Most of the time during and after these situations a person is able to go through their life functionally or bounce back from the blues.  But what if we are not able to bounce back?  What if we get stuck in this suffering?  If you are not able to bounce back then you may be suffering from depression.  It is important to identify if we are having a normal response to a situation or if we in fact are suffering from depression.

Often those suffering from depression feel empty, sad, hopeless, unmotivated, irritable and have body and thought process changes which affect their ability to function.  There are many types of depressive disorders including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/ medication induced depressive disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition, other specified depressive disorder, and underspecified depressive disorder.

Common Symptoms:

• Sadness, Depressed Mood, Feeling Lonely
• Fatigue
• Feeling of Hopelessness
• Weight Loss or Gain Without Dieting
• Irritability
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Inability or Excessive Sleep
• Anxiety
• Loss of Appetite
• Lack of Interest in Activities
• Difficulty Concentrating

How common is depression?  According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, in 2014 15.7 million adults had at least one major depressive disorder.  1 in 10 American at one point in their life will suffer from clinical depression but sadly, it’s not uncommon for those suffering not to seek or receive treatment;  80% of those suffering from clinical depression will not receive treatment.

In some cases depression can be attributed to a chemical imbalance in the brain, in which case medical care would be used in conjunction with therapy. In order to determine if you are suffering from depression or a depressive disorder it is important that you seek consultation from a licensed clinician.   This therapist will be able to determine which type of depressive disorder the client is suffering from, and therefore embark on the best path to aid them in treatment and healing.

The good news?  There is help for people suffering from depression. If you or a loved on is suffering from depression it is important to tell you doctor and seek care from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist. You can do something about it and break the silence of your suffering.

Rachel Peru is a clinical intern who offers counseling services here at Empowerment Treatment & Counseling Center while she completes her Masters degree in Professional Counseling at Grand Canyon University.

If you or someone you know needs help, talk with your health care provider or give us a call!  We have a caring staff of seasoned therapists in our Phoenix/Glendale, Arizona offices who have experience in helping people heal from the past, find meaning and joy in the present, and embrace hope for the future.  (623) 810-1663

References:

• Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved April 06, 2017, from https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression
• Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-5. (2013). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.