Depression

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What is depression?

Depression is a serious mental health condition. Also called major depressive disorder, depression results in overwhelming negative emotions, such as sorrow, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Unlike typical feelings of grief and sadness that subside with time, the emotions associated with depression don’t go away. Over time, they can harm your work or school performance and interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks and maintain personal relationships.

Depression can last for months or years. Over time, depression has an adverse effect on your physical health and increases your risk of additional mental health disorders, such as anxiety or substance abuse.

Why do some people experience depression?

Researchers don’t know for sure what causes depression or why some people are affected when others aren’t. However, having a family history of depression does increase your risk for the condition. Brain chemistry, hormone levels, and nutritional deficiencies likely contribute to depression.

Additional risk factors include:

• Chronic illness 
• Chronic pain
• Physical or sexual abuse 
• Trauma
• History of substance abuse
• Environmental stress
• Economic difficulty

If you have anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or a history of substance abuse, you also have an increased risk for depression.

How can I tell if I have depression?

If you experience ongoing, extreme feelings of despair and hopelessness that prevent you from enjoying life, cause you to avoid social situations, or interfere with your ability to meet obligations, you may have depression.

Other common symptoms of depression include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Decreased energy
• Sleep disturbances
• Reduced appetite
• Headaches
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory issues
• Suicidal thinking

Long-term depression increases your risk of addiction, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. 

How is depression treated?

To provide comprehensive care for depression, the caring team of experts at Nugent Family Counseling Center work together to design customized treatment plans to address your individual needs. 

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

• Medication management
• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Group therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Microcurrent electrical therapy
• Hypnosis

Nugent Family Counseling Center also offers neurofeedback, a type of biofeedback that promotes neural activity in the areas of your brain that regulate mood, behavior, cognition, and other mental functions.

Sometimes called “brain training,” neurofeedback helps restore healthy brain function. It can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve your sleep and concentration. 

If you or a loved one struggle with depression, schedule a consultation with a trusted provider at Nugent Family Counseling Center. Call the nearest location or book an appointment online today.