What is Depression?

Depression is a common mental health disorder that can greatly affect a person’s life including social engagement, activities of daily living, work/ school, and personal relationships. It affects nearly 30% of adults at some point in their life. Symptoms of depression include:

-            Persistent sadness

-            Irritability

-            Hopelessness

-            Loss of interest in fun activities

-            Changes in appetite

-            Changes in sleep habits

-            Fatigue

-            Difficulty in concentrating

-            Feelings of worthlessness

-            Thoughts of death or suicide

If you have suicidal thoughts, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. If you have any of these symptoms, please reach out to schedule a psychiatric evaluation to see if you meet the criteria for clinical depression. Treatment can make these symptoms more manageable. Stay tuned for different types of treatment modalities in a future blog post!

Reference:

Onyemaechi, C. “What Is Depression?” Psychiatry.Org - What Is Depression?, Apr. 2024, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression.