Depression is known as one of the most common mental health disorders, but it is more than just a persistent sense of sadness or malaise. Depression is a thief, robbing you of your sense of self, the things you used to love doing, and the hope for a better tomorrow.

It does not have to be this way. With the proper tools, medication, or therapy, you can resume control of your life and live by your own rules. However, to properly treat depression, you must know the basics of this illness.

What is Depression?

Like your first high school essay or that valedictorian speech you wanted to give, we need to define depression first. Depression is a mood disorder that involves ongoing feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or numbness that last for an extended period. It can make even the simplest of tasks feel overwhelming and zap the joy from things you loved doing.

Pay Attention to the Symptoms

Like other disorders, depression comes with a laundry list of symptoms that you should be paying attention to, such as:

· Persistent sadness or low mood

· Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

· Changes in appetite or weight

· Sleep disturbances (too much or too little)

· Fatigue or lack of energy

· Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

· Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

· Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms vary from person to person, but you must ask yourself if you’ve been feeling any of these.

What Causes Depression?

Unfortunately, there’s no one cause for depression – there are many potential factors. You may be dealing with a brain chemistry issue or a hormonal imbalance. Family history and genetics play a big part, too. If you’ve dealt with any trauma in your life or relatively recently, depression can also rear its ugly head.  

Don’t Struggle Another Second

Depression doesn’t have to be an albatross that hangs around your neck. With New Resolve Family Counseling, you can treat your depression with one of our licensed and trained counselors. Contact us today to schedule your first session.