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Depression is a common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and changes in how you think, sleep, eat, and act. There are several different types. Depression is treatable—usually with talk therapy, medication, or both. Seeking medical help as soon as you have symptoms is essential.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating, and sleeping.
It’s normal to feel sad about or grieve over difficult life situations, such as losing your job or a divorce. But depression is different in that it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.
Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death by suicide. The good news is that treatments can be very effective in improving symptoms.
Clinical depression (major depressive disorder): A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you’ve felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities, or a change in appetite. This is the most severe form of depression and one of the most common.
Persistent depressive disorder (PPD): Persistent depressive disorder is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years. The symptoms are less severe than major depressive disorder. Healthcare providers used to call PDD dysthymia.
Disruptivemood mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD): DMDD causes chronic, intense irritability and frequent anger outbursts in children. Symptoms usually begin by the age of 10.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): With PMDD, you have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms along with mood symptoms such as extreme irritability, anxiety, or depression. These symptoms improve within a few days after your period starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.
Depressive disorder due to another medical condition: Many medical conditions can create changes in your body that cause depression. Examples include hypothyroidism, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. If you’re able to treat the underlying condition, the depression usually improves as well.
Depression can affect anyone — including children and adults. Women and people assigned female at birth are more likely to have depression than men and people assigned male at birth.
Having certain risk factors makes it more likely that you may develop depression. For example, the following conditions are associated with higher rates of depression:
Depression is a widespread mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 264 million individuals of all ages suffer from depression globally. It’s a leading cause of disability and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
The symptoms of depression can vary slightly depending on the type and range from mild to severe. In general, symptoms include:
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression. They think that several factors contribute to its development, including:
Depression can be treated using various approaches, often tailored to an individual’s specific needs and the severity of their condition. Palm Beach Counseling and Behavioral Health (PBCB) aims to use evidence-based treatments to treat forms of depression. Every patient is provided nothing short of excellent treatment options that cater to any and all needs.
Some patients are recommended antidepressants to combat depression. These pills are designed to alter brain chemistry to manage the patient’s mood.
The three chemicals present in antidepressants are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all of which modify circulation in the brain.
More commonly known as “talk therapy,” psychotherapy is generally advised for treating mild depression. Psychotherapy sessions involve the patient and therapist building trust to break down the root cause of depression and, in some cases, can lead to the diagnosis of a specific mental disorder.
A different form of talk therapy, CBT, is meant to alter negative thought and behavioral patterns the patient routinely experiences.
This short-term treatment is effective in focusing on the problems of the present and assists in developing coping skills.
Behavioral Addiction is centered on setting specific goals to include more positive activity in a patient’s daily life. The primary goal is to avoid remaining isolated and bond with the outside world.
This consists of improving relationship skills; a therapist will collaborate with the patient to identify and address specific elements of relationships. This aids in making necessary adjustments in relationships with others to build a stable foundation for two or more people.
Supportive counseling is less structured than other treatments, where the patient is encouraged to speak about anything and everything on their mind. The loose structure is a stepping stone towards a more specialized treatment.
The team at Palm Beach Counseling vows to assist any patient seeking treatment for depression, no matter how mild it may be.
Our programs are designed with the patient in mind – all out treatments are geared towards helping them determine the root cause and course of action of treating depression.
