Depression

What symptoms indicate I have depression?

When you have depression, you feel sad most or all of the time, and negative emotions like self-loathing, guilt, shame, and hopelessness drain all the joy from your life.

You might develop problems like trouble concentrating, poor memory, and forgetfulness. Some people sleep excessively when they have depression (hypersomnia), while others can’t sleep much at all (insomnia). You might have little interest in eating and start losing weight, or turn to unhealthy food for comfort and gain weight.

Your thought processes don’t work properly when you have depression, so you might only be able to see the downside of any situation. People with depression often believe they’re unlovable and are a burden to family and friends. You might lack confidence in your abilities and struggle to make decisions.

As depression worsens, you might self-harm or turn to alcohol or illegal drugs to suppress your pain. Sadly, suicide is all too common among people with severe depression, claiming around 48,000 lives a year in the United States.

Why can’t I shake off my depression?

Depression is a severe condition that’s no easier to shake off than a physical disease. This characteristic defines depression — if you feel low because of a bad day or distressing experience, you can usually improve your mood by doing something you enjoy or spending time with friends. If you have depression, nothing you do helps much.

Another problem with depression is that there’s no single cause for it. Sometimes it develops after a stressful experience, life transition, or trauma, like losing your job, relocating to a new state, or a loved one dying. Chronic stress, poor health, and long-term pain can also trigger depression. However, depression often arises for no identifiable reason.

Research into depression shows that the condition affects your brain’s mood center function. Neurotransmitter (brain communication chemical) levels fall, reducing neuron (nerve cell) activity in your mood center. What’s less clear is whether depression causes this imbalance, if the imbalance triggers depression, or both.

What can I do to overcome depression?

Antidepressant medication prescribed by your primary care provider or a psychiatrist can be helpful because it increases your neurotransmitter levels. Psychotherapy is also critical to depression recovery. Derek uses various talk therapies to address the issues underlying your depression and help you overcome the day-to-day problems it causes.

Call Logos Mental Health and Wellness, to request a depression evaluation or book an appointment online today.