Depression in St. Louis Park & Serving Minneapolis, MN
Depression is a condition that affects millions of people. Many think that depression is just being sad or "down in the dumps" but this not the case. Depression is a chronic condition with symptoms that can vary between different people. Depression affects the way you live your life and you will seem like a different person than you once were.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Some common symptoms of depression are.
- Constantly feeling sad
- Feeling worthless
- Apathy
- Loss of appetite or inability to control eating
- Weight gain or loss
- Lack of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Lack of desire to socialize or interact with others
- Inability to concentrate on small tasks
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Suicidal Thoughts (If you are contemplating suicide please call us or 1-800-273-8255 to speak with someone immediately).
What Causes Depression?
Depression can be brought on by dramatic changes in your life. The loss of a loved one, loss of your job, moving to a new, unfamiliar place and many other factors can cause you to become depressed. There are anti-depressant medications available to help, but sometimes the best help can be to discuss your feelings. Therapy provides an outlet for you to discuss what is bothering you and try to find a solution or release to improve your state of mind. Discussing your feelings can help to give reasons for why you are feeling a certain way. This can allow you to manage and balance your emotions and find ways to effectively deal with them.
Types of Depression
There are several types of depression. The main types are:
- Anxious distress, which causes feelings of loss of control and excessive worry
- Mixed features, which have both depression and mania components
- Melancholic features, which is severe depression causing feelings of guilt or agitation
- Atypical features, which can cause sensitivity to rejection
- Psychotic features, which can cause delusions or hallucinations
- Catatonia, which involves uncontrollable motor activity
- Peripartum onset, occurring during pregnancy or after delivery
- Seasonal pattern, which occurs during reduced sunlight exposure and seasonal changes
Prevention of Depression
You can take steps to help prevent depression. Remember to:
- Control your stress by practicing stress reduction techniques like meditation, exercise, deep breathing, and yoga
- Ask for support from your family and friends when you are experiencing a crisis
- Seek treatment from your medical provider at the earliest sign of problems
When you are depressed you should attempt to surround yourself with things and people that make you happy. Feelings of gratification can give you a sense of accomplishment and improve your mood. Showing yourself that you can accomplish goals can have a huge impact on your self-worth and emotional well being.