Depression Treatment Services

Depression is a common mood disorder, but it should not be taken lightly. Symptoms of depression can interfere with the way you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Most diagnoses do not occur until after symptoms have occurred for at least two weeks.

There are different types of depression that might develop due to unique circumstances:

Persistent depressive disorder is when a person experiences symptoms of depression for over two years. The symptoms may be more or less severe at times but must last for two years to fall into this category of depression.

Postpartum depression occurs in women during pregnancy or after delivery. It is common for new mothers to experience mild depression and anxiety known as the “baby blues,” but postpartum depression is much more serious. Women may experience extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, which may in turn, make it difficult for them to care for themselves and their new babies.

Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.

Seasonal affective disorder is when symptoms of depression occur when the weather changes and there is less natural sunlight, mainly during the winter months. For the most part, this depression typically lets up when spring and summer come. Winter depression usually returns each year with seasonal affective disorder and comes with symptoms such as social withdrawal, weight gain, and the desire to sleep more often.

Signs and Symptoms

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of depression listed below daily or every other day and/or lasting more than two weeks.

• Continuous sadness or anxiety
• Feeling hopeless or overly pessimistic
• Feeling worthless, helpless, or experiencing persistent guilt
• Persistent restlessness or struggling to sit still
• Low energy or fatigue
• Low interest or enjoyment in hobbies and activities
• Moving or talking unusually slow
• Struggling to concentrate, make decisions, or remember simple tasks
• Irregular sleeping patterns, such as waking often throughout the night, waking unusually early, or struggling to get up
• Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
• Body aches, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems not related to a physical illness and not getting better with treatment

Not everyone with depression will experience every symptom. The severity and frequency of symptoms will vary based on each individual’s situation, disorder, and stage of their disorder.