Depression Specialist

What is depression?

Clinical depression is a mental health disorder that changes a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. While sadness is one aspect of clinical depression, the condition is both persistent and debilitating, interfering with the patient’s ability to function in daily life.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

The most common symptoms of clinical depression include:

• Feeling sad most of the day, most days
• Loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure
• Unintentional weight loss or gain; changes in appetite
• Trouble sleeping at night; sleeping during the day; sleeping all the time
• Fatigue, loss of energy, exhaustion
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Feeling guilty, worthless, hopeless, or helpless
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions or thinking
• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Patients who experience the signs and symptoms of depression should reach out to a psychiatrist as early as possible.

Why is treatment so important?

In severe cases, untreated depression can lead to suicide. Patients should seek treatment if they notice signs and symptoms of depression to prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

What causes depression?

A combination of factors can cause depression, and in many cases the causes of depression are unknown. Depression can be the result of genetic factors, traumatic life experiences, or hormonal changes. Some people fall into depression after the loss of a loved one, job loss, childbirth, or divorce.

Who is at risk of developing depression?

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men. Those who have psychological disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives – especially during development – are also at risk.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression, also called PPD, is depression that occurs after pregnancy and childbirth. While most women feel blue in the days following birth, those suffering from postpartum depression find that these symptoms don’t alleviate in the first couple of weeks. Postpartum depression is thought to be the result of hormonal changes in addition to the lifestyle change that accompanies the birth of a child.

Can people recover completely from depression?

Yes, many people experience a period of depression in their lives, seek treatment, and recover completely. A combination of medication and talk therapy are often critical for complete healing.