Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17 million adult Americans suffer from depression during anyone year. Depression is real illness and carries a high cost in terms of relationship problems, lost work productivity, and family suffering. Yet, depression is a highly treatable illness.
Everyone feels sad or blue at times. For most people, these feelings tend to lessen with the passing of time. However, if person’s sadness lasts two weeks or longer, and if they interfere with daily activities, something more serious than feeling blue may be going on.
Depression can cause feelings of helplessness and hopelessness and people tend to blame themselves for having these feelings. Some people may withdraw from family and friends and stop participating in their daily activities. Some may even have thoughts of suicide.
What causes depression? There is no single answer. Many possible reasons exist. Depression could be a sign that certain mental and emotional aspects of person’s life are out of balance. Significant life transitions and life stresses such as the death of a love one, a divorce or separation, can bring about a depressive episode.
A person’s depression is highly treatable when he or she receives competent care. Simply put, people who do not seek care suffer needlessly. Unexpressed feelings and concerns accompanied by a sense of isolation can worsen a depression.
During the initial phase of treatment a thorough evaluation will be made to best determine the most effective treatment plan.
Psychotherapy or a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication may be advised. Medications can be very helpful in reducing the symptoms of depression in some people, particularly in cases of moderate to sever depression. However, given the potential side effects of medication, any use of medication requires close monitoring by the physician who prescribes the drugs.
The importance of having appropriate help cannot be over emphasized. Several approaches to psychotherapy, including psycho-dynamic, cognitive behavior and interpersonal therapy help people recover. Psychotherapy offers people the opportunity to identify the factors that contribute to their depression and to deal effectively with the psychological, behavioral, interpersonal, and situational causes.
Depression can seriously impair a person’s ability to function in everyday situations. The prospect for recovery for individuals who seek professional care are very good. By working with a qualified and experienced therapist, people who suffer from depression can regain control of their lives. We will develop an effective treatment plan to reduce or eliminate your depression.