What is depression?
Depression is a condition that causes you to feel sad, hopeless, and despairing for weeks, months, and even years.
Everyone gets down or has an attack of the miseries now and again, and feeling low after a bad day or a traumatic event is normal. However, if you have depression, these feelings persist and often become worse.
In children, depression can even begin to interfere with their social activities, schoolwork, and home life. Many children with depression experience extreme sadness, or have angry outbursts that are difficult to control without compassionate mental health care.
Depression is one of the most common types of mental illness, and it can range from mild to moderate forms to potentially life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression causes chronically low mood, which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Low energy levels
- Lack of interest or enthusiasm
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more often
- Loss of appetite or increased appetite
- Problems concentrating
- Poor memory
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of guilt and self-blame
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Frequent bouts of crying
The symptoms of depression in children are similar to those in adults. If your child is depressed, they may seem fatigued, hopeless, and disinterested in activities they once loved. Many children with depression also begin to act out in school and at home.
Physical changes, such as stomachaches and headaches, are also common complaints of children with depression.
Depression isn’t a temporary state of mind that you can simply shake off, and no one who’s experienced depression ever advises you to pull yourself together. If you have depression, you need expert, compassionate care from skilled professionals like Dr. Marquez-Floyd.
Are there different types of depression?
There are several different types of depression, including:
Chronic depression
Chronic depression that lasts for years is called dysthymia, which is typically a mild to moderate form of the condition.
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is a more severe type of depression that can cause extreme emotional torment and suicidal feelings.
Seasonal affective disorder
Some people get seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the darker winter months because of the low levels of sunlight, and many people find the normal phase of depression that’s part of the healing process following bereavement or other trauma doesn’t pass and becomes a chronic state of mind.
You may also develop depression because of other health conditions, for example, if you have chronic pain or a condition like cancer. New mothers are prone to postpartum depression, which can severely affect your ability to care for your baby and yourself.
People who have substance abuse problems may have depression, and certain types of medication can cause depression in some patients.
What treatments are available for depression?
Depending on the severity of your depression, your provider may prescribe anti-depressant medication to correct any chemical imbalance in your brain. These treatments can be beneficial for both children and adults, but they’re only one aspect of successful recovery from depression.
Dr. Marquez-Floyd provides essential counseling services for patients of all ages who have depression, using treatments that are proven to be effective, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapy.
If you are experiencing difficulties coping or have symptoms of depression, call Estelita Marquez-Floyd, M.D., or book an appointment online now.
