Perhaps you’ve been feeling a lot of anxiety, guilt, and general hopelessness lately. One day it may have seemed like you suddenly lost interest in everything you used to enjoy – you no longer want to go out with friends, you stopped attending a special interest group and you have difficulty finding the motivation to even get out of bed every morning. These are all symptoms of depression; there is a lot that goes into depression, and it can truly cause a lot of distress in your daily life. No matter what you’re going through, it’s important for you to seek help. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 350 million people worldwide experience some form of depression.
The symptoms of depression vary and may be chronic or short-lived, induced by specific events or something as simple as a change in the weather season. The following are the most common disorders associated with depression:
- Major depressive disorder – also known as clinical depression, it is a serious mood disorder with severe symptoms that affect how you think, feel, act, and how you many your day-to-day life.
- Persistent depressive disorder – categorized as a depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years, this disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms
- Psychotic depression – occurs when a person has severe symptoms of depression along with psychosis, such as having false beliefs, delusions, or hallucinations
- Postpartum depression – affecting an estimated 10% to 15% of women, this disorder occurs in some women who feel overwhelmed after the hormonal changes of giving birth
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – described as a depression that occurs during the winter months, when less sunlight is present
Harvard Medical School emphasizes how complex depression is by stating that it’s much more than simply having too much or too little production of chemicals in the brain. There are millions – potentially billions – of chemical reactions that the body is comprised of, interacting with one another and responding to environmental and biological occurrences. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, make sure you speak with a doctor to obtain a diagnosis. Treatment is available if your symptoms have been significantly affecting your life – seek the help you need today.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
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