Depression
Why do I have depression?
Depression is a common mental health condition that leads to chronic sadness and disinterest in activities for weeks, months, or even years at a time. If you have depression, it may be linked to or caused by:
- Work or relationship stress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disturbing delusions or hallucinations (psychosis)
- Pregnancy and childbirth (postpartum depression)
- Hormonal or brain chemical imbalances, as with bipolar disorder
- Lack of sunlight during winter months (seasonal affective disorder)
It’s also possible to struggle with depression if it runs in your family or if you’ve experienced a stressful life event (like a divorce).
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression leads to a wide variety of signs and symptoms that vary from day to day. When you’re depressed, you may experience:
- Chronic fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Weight fluctuations
- Empty or numb feelings
- Mood swings and irritability
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Restlessness and difficulty sitting still
- Hopelessness or constant pessimism
Depression can even lead to physical problems, such as headaches, chronic pain, and even digestive issues. In severe cases, depression causes you to have suicidal thoughts, which warrants emergency medical attention.
Dr. Mind Psychology encourages you to book in an appointment if any of these symptoms sound familiar, especially if they’re worsening or not improving after several weeks.
How is depression treated?
Treating depression often involves combining solutions to stabilize your brain chemicals and help you learn to cope. This may include a combination of the following:
- Behavioural Activation (BA)
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dr Mona Ghanbari is dedicated to finding the best solution for your unique needs to help you recover from your case of depression.
Before struggling with depression another day, see how we can help. Book your depression evaluation online today.