Depression

When suffering from depression, you experience an intense sadness or lowness that impacts your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and continues for a period of days, weeks, or months. It may feel all-encompassing, and lead to changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, and energy. You do not enjoy the things that usually give you pleasure, and you feel little to no motivation to attend to personal or professional tasks. Depression can come out of nowhere, or it can be triggered by life events. One day you feel fine, and the next you find yourself struggling to get out of bed. Depression is not one feeling, but a complex response to changes in brain chemistry and a range of overwhelming emotions.

Types of Depression

Dysthymia (Atypical Depression)

Dysthymia, otherwise known as atypical depression, refers to a persistent low mood, often accompanied by low motivation, over-sleeping, over-eating, or other common symptoms of depression. However, people suffering from dysthymia may find their mood improved temporarily by a positive event. This may lead some to believe that what they are suffering is not “bad enough” to be depression. 

Major Depression

You may have major depression if you experience a low mood most of the time on most days. Major depression makes it exceedingly difficult to function on a day-to-day basis. You might struggle with low motivation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, over-sleeping or difficulty sleeping, and difficulty experiencing pleasure. You might feel guilty for your lack of motivation and decreased ability to function “as normal.” Chances are you believe that the depression is your own fault. Major depression can become severe and it might feel unbearable. It can cause you to wonder how you will get through the day, cause terrible agitation, and lead to suicidal thoughts. Major depression can be treated with medication and therapy. 

Adjustment Disorder (Situational Depression)

Adjustment disorder, otherwise known as situational depression, refers to depression that occurs during a stressful or troubling period of life. While sadness and low mood may be a typical response, adjustment disorder is characterized by the symptoms of major depression and can be treated with medication and therapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) refers to depression that occurs over a particular season (usually winter). It can be treated with antidepressants, therapy, and light therapy which mimics the effects of the sunlight lacking during the short, gloomy days.

Postpartum Depression

Many women experience peripartum or postpartum depression during and after pregnancy. This can be very troubling, especially as many mothers believe they should be happy and energetic at the start of motherhood. However, it is common and does not correlate with feelings or beliefs about parenting. On the contrary, it impacts even the healthiest feelings and beliefs about parenting, and these should be explored in therapy.

Treatment

Depression can be effectively treated using a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

First Visit - You will see a psychiatric medical provider on your first visit, who will assess you to diagnose the problem. They will prescribe medication which reduces your symptoms and will recommend a treatment plan which includes lifestyle modifications to increase your overall sense of wellbeing. Weekly therapy is recommended as a supplement to your care. There you will explore your own psychology and learn healthy coping mechanisms.

After 2-3 weeks, you will have a follow-up appointment with your clinician to assess how the treatment plan is progressing, followed by ongoing monthly follow-up care. At this point, you will likely have gained increased stability, allowing you to function at a more optimal level without distress caused by depression. You will continue with monthly follow-up visits to evaluate your progress and adjust medication if necessary.

Antidepressants such as SSRIs are effective at reducing the symptoms, allowing you to feel pleasure again and experience normal emotions.

Therapy helps you get to the roots of your issues, identifying what may have triggered the depressive episode. Even though depression is often caused by chemicals in the brain, it is usually triggered by something in your life, or even by something that happened in the past.

Exercise is also known to help people suffering from depression, releasing endorphins which lead to increased happiness.