Depression Disorder

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness.

Major depression: Severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes.

Persistent depression (Dysthymia): typically, less severe than major depression but the same symptoms persist for several years or more.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. They include:

• Postpartum depression is much more serious than the "baby blues" that many women experience after giving birth when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.

• Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbed false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. Depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.

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 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.

At MindShift Psychotherapy, we are experts in assessing and treating depression disorders. Treatments consist of Psychodynamic Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive-behavioral Therapy, Biofeedback, Heart Rate Variability training, and Neurofeedback/Neurotherapy.