Depression is a serious health issue the world over. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the most common mental health disorder in the United States. It is estimated that 332 million people in the world have depression. Depression can impact adults as well as children and teens. While depression can be overwhelming, it is treatable.

Depression: What is it?

Clinical or major depression can make you feel extremely sad and that life isn’t worth living anymore. It can leave you with a lot of negative thoughts, overwhelming you with unpleasant emotions – hopelessness, guilt, hurt, indifference, lethargy, etc. It can cause you to experience anhedonia or loss of pleasure. In extreme cases, it can significantly reduce your functionality.

There are several factors that may cause depression, including genetics and stressful or traumatic life transition. Depression can be influenced by the levels of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin and dopamine.

Are You (or Your Child) Depressed?

Grief, loneliness and becoming emotionally overwhelmed are natural human emotions. However, if they are experienced frequently and intensely they could be indicators of depression. Additional symptoms of depression may include;

• Feeling very sad or hopeless
• No longer enjoying things you once did
• Feeling increasingly more irritable
• Increased or decreased appetite which can lead to excessive weight gain or loss
• Sleep changes like sleeping too much or not enough
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feeling slowed down or sped up
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, help is available, you aren’t alone.

Depression is Treatable

The best thing that you can do when you suspect you have depression is to seek treatment. Remember that this condition is highly treatable, especially with a comprehensive approach that includes counseling and medication management.

Life is beautiful, but you may not realize that when you are struggling with depression. Experience the beauty of life by turning the table on depression. Carolina Counseling Services in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina contracts with caring licensed therapists and psychiatric professionals. If you are looking for exceptional psychiatric care Call CCS today!

Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), Tricare, Medicaid and more. Online appointments are also available making it easier than ever before to get quality psychiatric care anywhere in North Carolina!

Related Articles:

• Bringing Back the Enjoyment Stolen by Depression
• Do you think you have Depression? How Counseling can Help
• Getting Professional Help When Sadness Develops Into Depression
• Depression: Can Different People Have Different Symptoms?
• Major Depression: When Help Is the Only Way Out
• Finding Interest Despite Depression
• Working Through Postpartum Depression
• Seeing Your Child Through Depression

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.