Depression is an extremely common mental condition that affects many children, young adults, and adults. It can have a major impact on your brain, your mood, and your outlook on life. For those who are silently suffering, it’s important to understand the different signs of depression in order to treat it properly. If depression goes untreated, it can be damaging to your long-term wellbeing, personal relationships, and work life. Read on to learn more about the signs of depression, the different types of depression, and how a major depression treatment center like True Life can help you cope with depression and live a healthy, balanced life.
How To Tell If You Have Depression
There are many telltale warning signs of depression. These can include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, and loss of energy. Depression may even cause some people to perform reckless activities. Someone suffering from depression may also experience physical changes such as weight gain or loss, as well as aches or pains. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out for help from our compassionate team of trained professionals.
There are many common risk factors that can increase the likelihood of an individual developing depression, including:
- Isolation or loneliness
- Stressful life experiences
- Family trauma or abuse
- Grief
- Chronic illness
- Substance abuse
While there does not have to be a specific reason or trigger for depression to occur, these are some of the most common factors that are likely to cause a short or extended period of it. If you are susceptible to any of the above risk factors, reach out to our team to discuss enrolling in individual therapy to help you deal. Talking through your experiences and struggles with a dedicated, experienced mental health professional will help you to work through and resolve the issues that are holding you back from living your best life. Our integrative staff can also recommend certain medication or activities that can help you cope with your illness.
Different Types Of Depression
Depression manifests differently for everyone in terms of symptoms and severity, but the following four examples illustrate the primary types that afflict many people around the world:
- Mild Depression (Dysthymia): Mild depression is the most common type of depression. This type of depression causes an individual to experience bouts of sadness in their everyday life for long periods of time, which can lead to a pessimistic outlook and dark, deflated mood that won’t go away.
- Major Depression: Major depression is much less common than mild depression. It causes intense sadness and typically lasts for a few months. It can also become a recurring disorder if left untreated.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal Affective Disorder or “SAD” can lead otherwise healthy people to become depressed in the winter when there is less natural sunlight. Those suffering from SAD may become lonely and uninterested in activities that they once enjoyed. The effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder usually lessen during the spring and summer when there is more daylight.
- Atypical Depression: People who suffer from atypical depression might experience constant highs and lows. For example, they may feel energized when they participate in certain activities or social events.
How True Life Center Can Help Treat Signs Of Depression
While there is no single cure for depression, there are many things you can do in order to cope with it. Experts recommend that you have a reliable support system in place to help you address your feelings and talk about what you are going through. In addition to talking about your depression within your own personal network of trusted friends and family, it’s crucial to reach out for help and seek treatment from caring, trained professionals like our team at True Life Center. Our mental health treatment staff will help you participate in therapy programs and group sessions so you can understand your illness and learn how to live with it. We will teach you how to find activities that excite you so you can lead a balanced and fulfilling life without making depression the focus of your life. If you would like to find the right partners to help treat your depression, contact True Life Center at 866.420.1792 today.