Sarasota Psychotherapy Services provides in-person services in Sarasota, FL, and available online to surrounding communities
A sense or feeling of depression can come and go on a day-to-day and moment-to-moment basis. It is when depression stays around for a significant amount of time, or a person spends more days feeling depressed than they do feeling "okay" that it may be time to seek help. Depression is common, but often a person needs to get treatment to feel better. Depression affects over 15 million people in the United States a year. Depression, even in the most severe cases, can be effectively treated. What are the signs and symptoms of depression? People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating, or appetite loss
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease, even with treatment
Depression can cloud our sense of appreciation and gratitude for all the goodness in our life. It creates a negative bias in the way we perceive ourselves, others and our life in general. CBT, ACT, Polyvagal Therapy and perhaps trauma treatment can be helpful for treatments for the symptoms of depression. Often there are co-occurring symptoms that may also need treatment.
For more information, follow the link below: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml