What is Clinical Depression?
We all feel sad sometimes, but clinical depression or as it is diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder or MDD is more than just sadness. Depression can affect people in many ways including:
Lack of interest in daily activities
Significant weight gain
Significant weight loss
Insomnia
Excessive Sleeping
Lack of Energy
The inability to concentrate
Feelings of worthlessness
Excessive guilt
Thoughts of death or suicide
In order to meet criteria for clinical depression, 5 or ore of the symptoms above must be present most days for at least two weeks, causing significant distress in one or more areas in a person’s life. For example, they make it difficult to work or are causing issues in your relationships, home life, with friends etc. The symptoms are not cause by substance use such as the use of alcohol or smoking week (which can often lead to feelings of low mood), or another physical issue such as an illness.
Fortunately, depression is treatable mental health disorder. Therapy is a common and effective way to deal with depression. A therapist that specializes in depression can help you understand your symptoms, identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors which could be contributing to the depression and provide you with the skills to improve your depressed mood. A combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT) and other treatment modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be helpful to treat depression.
Find out if you have depression by completing this 9 question assessment or reach out for a free 15 minute consultation if you’d like to learn more about my services by clicking in the contact me button in the right hand corner.
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If you're feeling suicidal, please call 911.
If you're in crisis and looking for immediate support, please call
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
or text the Crisis Text Line: 741741
