What is depression?
Everyone experiences fluctuations in moods at different times in their life. Life is hard and things are not always easy. Loved ones we care about pass away, relationships end, we lose the job, we get diagnosed with that illness, we gain the weight or lose the money. Bad things are inevitably going to happen in life from circumstances that are likely out of our control. The ability to overcome these obstacles and persevere is a great determinate of our overall mental stability and mental health. When does the persistent sadness become clinical depression?
Depression is characterized by a persistent sense of sadness and loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. Sometimes the feelings of sadness can present as chronic fatigue or irritability in some people. Depression can occur at any stage of life but often appears in late teens or early twenties. It is also very common during the pregnancy and post-partum period for women. Depression is also more common in people over the age of 65. If left untreated, severe depression can increase your risk of developing substance abuse, chronic pain, cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, and increase the risk of suicide.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Mood fluctuations- often irritability or anger are present
Suicidal thoughts are common
Lack of enjoyment in things you used to enjoy
Poor energy
Changes in appetite
Changes in the ability to focus
Poor sleep
What Causes Depression? Several factors can influence the propensity to develop depression. These factors include the environment in which you were raised or currently live in, your genetics and your neuroanatomy. Another way to investigate these influences is to take a look at your biological, social, psychological, and lifestyle factors. We may be more vulnerable to depression if we do not have healthy relationships or have chronic health problems.
Depression Treatments
Studies have shown that treating depression with medications like SSRI’s yields highly favorable results. However, depression treatment should be tailored to each individual. At Endurance Mental Health, we look at many factors that could be contributing to depression symptoms and make recommendations that can help you feel better with and without the use of medications. Depression treatments may include:
Medication
Therapy (individual vs. family)
Diet and lifestyle changes
Spiritual practices
How can we help?
Depression is a treatable condition and Endurance Mental Health would love to help you or your loved one feel better today. Endurance Mental Health, PLLC is a professional psychiatric practice based in Carmel, Indiana. We offer in person and telehealth visits to Indiana residents. We provide treatment for mood disorders like depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), anxiety disorders, thought disorders, post-partum depression, sleep disorders, and more for patients over the age of 13 years old. For more information, call (317)- 669- 9774 or visit www. Endurancementalhealth.com today.