Depression Therapy & Mood Disorder Treatment
Clinical depression involves more than just “the blues”. While everyone gets sad from time to time, clinical depression is a serious disorder that affects more than 15 million Americans. Different types of depression therapy can help lessen the symptoms and help you regain your happiness.
Depression interferes with an individual’s ability to function from day to day. It can affect a person’s thoughts, mood, behavior, and physical health. Over half of people who struggle with one episode of depression will go on to experience more episodes of depression in the future. When depression goes untreated, the symptoms become more frequent and intense over time and can eventually lead to suicide.
An estimated 21.0 million adults (8.4% of all U.S. adults) in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2020. Source: NIMH
Symptoms and Types Of Depression
Symptoms of Major Depression Include
- a sad or irritable mood that won’t go away
- changes in appetite or sleep
- low energy
- the inability to enjoy activities that were previously enjoyable
- fatigue or low energy
- inability to concentrate
- poor memory
Other Depression Symptoms Include
Feelings such as hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, and emptiness. The depressed person may even consider suicide. They may also suffer from a number of physical ailments that don’t respond to treatment. Overall, there is a marked change in how the person acts and feels as compared to before the symptoms of depression became noticeable.
Other Types of Depression and Mood Disorders
Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia)
Depression in Children & Teenagers
Children and adolescents also get depressed. Research shows that about 5% of children may experience depression at any given time and that it runs in families. Child depression is more likely if the child is under stress, anxiety, or has learning or attention problems; but depression in children can look different than depression in adults.
They may have a lot of behavior problems or be less interested in activity or friends than usual. They may become angry or aggressive, or have problems communicating. They may complain about feeling sick or show a change in their usual sleeping or eating patterns. Some children talk of running away or committing suicide.
Learn more about therapy for children and counseling for teens.
Depression Therapy and Counseling
At Birmingham Anxiety and Trauma Therapy, our psychologists, therapists, and counselors are skilled in treating all types of Depression and Mood Disorders. They can help ease your pain by addressing your feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
How do therapists treat depression?
If you are ready to take the control back from your depression, contact us today to set up an appointment with a specialist!
Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.
Freedom from Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association who seek to impact the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and related disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on mind, brain, and behavior.
Depression & Mood Disorder Articles
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Overcoming Depression – How long does it take?
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