Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects the way you think, feel, and behave. It causes feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Depression affects everyone differently, so you may not realize you have it at first. Over time, however, depression can interfere with your quality of life. Working, studying, and completing routine chores may feel like a challenge.

Are there different types of depression?

The four main types of depression are:

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is a common type of depression that causes overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. If you have the disorder, you may experience depressive episodes more often than not.

Dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder)

Dysthymia, commonly called persistent depressive disorder, occurs when your depressive episodes last for longer than two years. While symptoms may be persistent, they’re typically less intense than major depressive disorder.

Recurrent depressive disorder

Recurrent depression happens when you experience a depressive episode within six weeks of another episode.

Adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorders cause excessive reactions to situations involving sudden change, loss, or illness.

Treatment-resistant depression

If you continue to experience frequent depressive episodes after trying therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications, you may have treatment-resistant depression.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression affects everyone differently, but common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Detachment from loved ones
• Loss of interest in once-loved activities
• Difficulty concentration
• Anger and irritability
• Back pain or headaches
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• Slowed thinking
• Appetite changes

While some people experience obvious symptoms of depression, others may not realize why they feel sad or disconnected from others. An accurate depression diagnosis allows the Alevea Mental Health team to create an individualized treatment plan that improves your mental, emotional, and physical health.

What are the treatments for depression?

The team works with you to create an individualized treatment plan that suits your individual needs. Some of the depression treatments the team may recommend include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Atypical antidepressants
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Most depression treatment plans involve a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to address your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

To learn more about depression, call Alevea Mental Health or schedule an appointment online today.