Depression is a widespread, severe mental illness that impacts your mood, feelings, thoughts, and actions. Depression causes feelings of intense sadness and decreases your interest in previously enjoyed activities or relationships.
Everyone feels sad or hopeless now and then. For example, if you lose a loved one or have a challenging day at work, you might feel sad or isolated. Depression is different from normal grief or sadness in that the symptoms last longer and may not be tied to a specific situation or loss.
In addition to feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness, and guilt, depression causes other symptoms, such as:
If you have suicidal thoughts, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate treatment.
Depression is caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your mood, including serotonin and dopamine. Depression can emerge seemingly out of nowhere, or you could experience something that triggers the condition. For example, environmental factors such as continued exposure to poverty, neglect, or violence can make you more vulnerable to depression.
Your risk of developing depression is higher if you have a personal or family history of depression or other mental health disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse. If you have a pessimistic or negative outlook on life, your chances of developing depression also increase. People with poor self-esteem are also more likely to have depression.
The team of clinical experts at Heritage Wellness™ begins treatment with a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. You meet with your provider and have a detailed conversation about your symptoms, overall health and wellness, and personal and family medical history. Your provider may ask a series of questions to uncover symptoms as well as underlying issues that contribute to your condition.
Once your provider understands your depression, they work with you to create a customized treatment program to address your concerns. While your treatment plan is customized to meet your needs, they often combine medicine, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help improve your mental health.
If you’re living with symptoms of depression, call Heritage Wellness™ or request an appointment online today.